The story takes the form of a series of emails written by Luntu Masiza to his grade 11 English and History teacher, Mr Bali, to fulfil a school-holiday assignment. Over the course of these emails, the reader hears the story of a particularly challenging year in Luntu's life. Brilliantly, through Luntu's words we also access the life lessons passed on by a remarkable teacher, whose wisdom pulls Luntu back from the brink.