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todomo's review against another edition
3.0
Never did finish this -- Fun book except that it's basically the same as all Russo's others, just with more sarcasm.
akessle2's review against another edition
5.0
Very different from Russo's other books in that it is an unfettered humor novel. It is exceedlingly funny. Like his other novels, however, his characters are excellently developed, and he portrays the setting (in this case, a university and, more specifically, an English department) with great detail.
ardaigle's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still confused as to how I felt about this book. This is my third of Russo's: I've read "Empire Falls" and did "That Old Cape Magic" on audio.
First of all, if you don't like looooong character expositions, then Russo is not for you. There's plot, but the plot is almost an after thought to the depth of character development.
I liked the setting of the book as I haven't read anything in a while that was in academia. I've never read anything with the protagonist as faculty and I liked the point of view. I'd recommend this to faculty members or graduate students because the insight into the intrigue/ridiculousness of the politics of higher education is funny.
I'm still not sure whether I liked the protagonist, or even the novel. The characters are complicated but I know that I enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. By only revealing pieces at a time, Russo is an expert at reeling you in and capturing your attention.
First of all, if you don't like looooong character expositions, then Russo is not for you. There's plot, but the plot is almost an after thought to the depth of character development.
I liked the setting of the book as I haven't read anything in a while that was in academia. I've never read anything with the protagonist as faculty and I liked the point of view. I'd recommend this to faculty members or graduate students because the insight into the intrigue/ridiculousness of the politics of higher education is funny.
I'm still not sure whether I liked the protagonist, or even the novel. The characters are complicated but I know that I enjoyed the journey that this book took me on. By only revealing pieces at a time, Russo is an expert at reeling you in and capturing your attention.
k_thompson's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
michael5000's review against another edition
4.0
Seventeen years later, 51 and with friends working in the Pennsylvania state college system, this campus comedy about a 50 year old guy facing 50-year-old-guy issues while working in the Pennsylvania state college system has all sorts of resonance that it didn't the first time through. As is true with most Richard Russo, I find it laugh-out-loud funny and really engrossing, entertaining, and more or less wise, and also a bit shaky on the dismount.
cheried's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended by a very dear friend who has since passed away. We shared many book recommendations with each other and this is one of two I had left to read that he recommended. I really liked the humor in this book. It is very much not PC and is very sarcastic in nature and I love that. I have seen a few reviews where people complained that they didn't like the main character. I think that is the point. You're not always meant to like him, but I think most people can relate to him. Not sure if you're happy, sad, content with job, unhappy with job, etc. I found the book to be humorous and touching and a bit infuriating and sad all at the same time. I haven't read this author before. I find myself wanting to pick his other books on my TBR to see if I like them as much as this one.
bridge_enginerd's review against another edition
3.0
I am neither male nor facing a mid-life crisis, so my ability to relate to this book is limited. I did, however, find it entertaining.