The novel follows a New Jersey family, The Kwimpers, who move to Columbiana, a fictional state that resembles Florida, and squat on the side of a highway where a new bridge is being built, outraging local officials.

When confronted by state officials and treated poorly Pop Kwimper decides that the family will settle on the side of the highway permanently.

The novel revolves around the family's comical battles with the government, as they establish their lives on the untitled land and are eventually joined by other pioneers.

The family also contends with meddling social workers, their own poverty, starting up small businesses, a hurricane, and a group of gangsters that tries to squat on nearby land to run an illegal casino.

[2] Of the novel's satire, in the first edition of the novel the publisher writes: "It's possible that some readers may see woven into this comedy the theme of Little Man versus Big Government.

The screenplay was written by Charles Lederer, who also wrote the original Ocean's Eleven and the Marlon Brando version of Mutiny on the Bounty.