Throughout William`s childhood, his much-absent father, Edward, regaled him with tall tales of his exploits as a young man. But now that his father is dying, William must get to know the real Edward Bloom, before it`s all too late. Inspired by the fragments of stories he`s gathered over the years, William recreates his father`s life in a series of legends and myths, through which he begins to understand Edward Bloom`s great feats - and great failings - at last finding a way to say goodbye.