Frank Bascombe, having lost his career and his family, is selling real estate in Haddam, New Jersey, and is settling for a life of mere existence until the events of one Fourth of July weekend shock him into real contact with life.
After he loses his job and his family, "Daddy" sets out in his car to get away from it all, with no destination in mind. Told from the viewpoint of his dog, who follows him and stays with him faithfully until the end.
