Straight Man by Richard Russo
The novel is a comedic exploration of academia through the eyes of William Henry Devereaux Jr., a reluctant and sardonic interim chair of the English department at a struggling Pennsylvania college. As he navigates the absurdities and bureaucratic challenges of university life, including faculty disputes and budget cuts, Devereaux's personal life also unravels with marital tensions and a strained relationship with his father. Amidst the chaos, his irreverent humor and existential musings provide a poignant and humorous critique of the academic world and the search for meaning in middle age.
The 13504th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1997
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 450-500
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.0)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 2 lists:
- 3387th on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- Laurie Frankel's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library" (The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book))