Otto Ringling, a self-described ordinary man, narrates his journey across the US and through a transformative inner voyage. He leads a seemingly content life in the suburbs of New York with his wife, Jeannie, their two children, and a pet dog, and his narrative thus portrays a life filled with the usual comforts and day-to-day struggles of middle-class American life. However, Otto is periodically haunted by a sense of unease and existential questions, which leave him with a lingering dissatisfaction and quest for purpose.

His self-doubt intensifies after the tragic, sudden death of his parents in a car accident, leaving him feeling empty and questioning the life he has built. This increasing introspection propels him into a deeper exploration of life’s meaning. Despite his skepticism and self-proclaimed ordinariness, his journey is far from average. It prompts him to write about his experiences, driven by a newfound understanding, albeit one that he knows might be met with skepticism or mockery.

Otto grapples with settling his parents’ estate, a task made more complex by his unpredictable sister, Cecelia (“Seese”), and his sentimental attachment to certain family heirlooms at their North Dakota farmstead. This challenge, which Otto dubs the “North Dakota Question” (7), regularly surfaces in his ritualistic, wine-accompanied discussions with his wife, Jeannie.