The action takes place at Reilton College. The events are presented from a first-person perspective. The plot revolves around William Henry Devero, Jr., the head of the English department at a small college in the state of Pennsylvania. He is going through a midlife crisis and often behaves strangely. The story focuses on the main character's family life and professional activities, as he is accustomed to shocking the residents of the small town with his unusual behavior.