Quintus Horatius Flaccus (or Horace) has taken the name of a Roman poet, forsworn automobiles, and entertains himself by telephoning strangers to ask them what love is or what they think of St. Bernards. His neighbors in the Midwestern town of Oblivion consider him wacko. This suits Horace just fine, since all he wants in life is the serenity of not caring.

But people in Oblivion are conspiring to make Horace care about them. And as Horace becomes involved with an irascible dying librarian and a mysterious assault victim, Horace Afoot follows the unruly dialogue of his mind and heart with deadpan wit and great generosity of feeling.