Seen and Unseen

A rainy river outing at Oxford provides the opening tableau, where a motley group of scholars, clergy spouses, and a clever host huddle under umbrellas while sipping iced coffee. A spirited game of “Twenty Questions” erupts into a witty duel of linguistic one‑liners, exposing the petty rivalries and eccentricities of the participants. The anecdote sparkles with humor, hinting at the author’s broader fascination with the quirks of social interaction.

From that lively scene the narrative pivots into a witty meditation on the habits of autobiographers. It challenges the stubborn avoidance of the pronoun “I,” the overuse of cryptic initials, and the habit of masking identities with dashes and capital letters. With a blend of sharp observation and self‑deprecating charm, the work promises an engaging exploration of how we tell—or conceal—our own stories.