Something is wrong with Eddie Hobson Senior, father of four, sometime history teacher, quizmaster, black humorist, and invalid. His recurring fainting spells have worsened, and with his ingrained aversion to doctors his worried family tries to discover the nature of his illness.

Meanwhile, in private, Eddie puts the finishing touches on a secret project he calls ‘Hobstown’ a place that he promises will save him, the world, and everything that’s in it.