At a university in Pittsburgh, Grady Tripp, a literature professor in crisis, struggles with his personal and professional life. His latest novel, which extends beyond 2,000 pages, remains unfinished, mirroring his own disorganization and lack of direction. The pressure from his students, coupled with a mysterious romance with his boss, creates a cocktail of stress and desperation.
Things become even more complicated with the arrival of his friend, the famous author Terry Crabtree, who seeks refuge from his own pressures and expectations of success. Meanwhile, Grady becomes an unwitting mentor to a young and talented student, James Leer, who has his own literary ambitions but also an air of madness that leads to absurd and deeply funny situations.
Grady's life takes an unexpected turn when James steals the unfinished novel, which sets off a series of chaotic events, from awkward encounters at a writers' conference to a road trip with equally deranged characters. As this odyssey unfolds, Grady is forced to confront his internal demons, question his role as an educator, and reevaluate the relationships he has with those he cares about the most.
All of this leads him to rediscover not only his passion for writing but also his true purpose in life, as he seeks his place in a literary world that feels relentless and overwhelming.