Stuart Cuno has decided to become good. Not believing in God, he invents his own methods, which include celibacy, chastity and the abandonment of a promising academic career. Interfering friends and relations question his sincerity, his sanity and his motives. Stuart’s step-brother Edward Baltram is tormented by guilt because he has, he believes, kille d his best friend. He dreams sometimes of redemption, sometimes of suicide. Funny, compelling and extremly moving, ‘The Good Apprentice’ is about guilt ridden despair, and the difficult problem of how to try to be god - and the various magical devices which console those who are sensible enough not to try.