William Golding's The Paper Men is the story of Wilfred Barclay, a middle-aged novelist battling alcoholism and a dead-end marriage, and his would-be biographer, Professor Rick L. Tucker.

Fame, success, fortune, a drink problem slipping over the edge into alcoholism, a dead marriage, the incurable itches of middle-aged lust. For Wilfred Barclay, novelist, the final unbearable irritation is Professor Rick L. Tucker, implacable in his determination to become The Barclay Man. Locked in a lethal relationship they stumble across Europe, shedding wives, self-respect and illusions. The climax of their odyssey, when it comes, is as inevitable as it is unexpected.