本书是一部技巧高度纯熟的小长篇，“恐怖伊恩”时期的代表作，着力探索人性欲望的无限可能，讲述了一个关于美的追求者为了满足自己的欲望如何将美的对象摧残致死的故事。一对如胶似漆却又貌合神离的情人正在度假。从踏进这座繁华却又怪诞的旅游城市的第一天起，他们就一直被跟踪、偷拍。暗处的这双眼睛如影随形，诱惑着这对情人找寻新鲜刺激、寻求所谓陌生人的慰藉，并最终使他们一心一意地投身于一个处心积虑为其设下的情欲与死亡的陷阱中。小说蕴含着无数隐喻，与众多经典文本高度互文，充满了对托马斯·曼《死于威尼斯》、E·M·福斯特《看得见风景的房间》等意味深长的正引或戏仿，被誉为麦克尤恩的两部“小型杰作”之一。

This extraordinary book is an intimate portrait of Thailandâs ladyboys: the men who have chosen to become women. Funny, passionate, angry and provocative, Ladyboys is a no-holds-barred look at the secret lives of Thailandâs transsexual men. The book offers intimate details of the lives that the kathoeys have never publicly revealed. They talk about the choices theyâve made, their relationships, families, frustrations and hopes. The stories include those of an exotic ladyboy cabaret performer, a ladyboy sex worker and even a ladyboy Muay Thai boxing champion. Ladyboys will leave you amused, saddened, and entertained.