It is a multi-layered story which often places a particular emphasis on exploring and chronicling the city of London, its history, literature, culture and people.

It depicts colonial life, usually of Anglo-African or Anglo-Asian worlds, with a bit satirical and gloomy tone, deprived of any romantic touch

The main character of the anti-colonial novel is usually an Englishman who has friends among the local population and does not support the British colonial policy

It often portrays the hero being disillusioned with the life and dissatisfied with his job and the society where he is unfit.