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A review by itsgg
The Devil and Webster by Jean Hanff Korelitz
2.0
The false and persistent myth that pervades much criticism of so-called "identity politics" is often that of Horatio Alger: Every individual succeeds on his or her own merit, and can solely be blamed for his or her own failure, and institutional racism (or gender bias, or socioeconomic bias) doesn't really exist and plays no role. "The Devil and Webster" presents this theory in the guise of a whodunnit. Of COURSE (and this is not a spoiler) the professor perceived to have been denied tenure because of racism was secretly a plagiarist. Of COURSE other characters similarly believed to have been victims of bias turn out to be liars and frauds. Of COURSE students protesting against perceived bias just don't know any better because they're too silly and naïve.
This thematic backdrop sufficiently irritated me that it prevented me from enjoying other aspects of the book. It didn't help -- and this is not the author's fault! -- that the reader of the audiobook also has an incredibly annoying voice. Finally, as a highly biased California native and holder of two separate degrees from UC Berkeley, romanticized descriptions of East Coasters at private colleges that let in rich kids who haven't earned their spots generally make me roll my eyes. Because of this, maybe others would like this more than I did, but it just wasn't for me.
This thematic backdrop sufficiently irritated me that it prevented me from enjoying other aspects of the book. It didn't help -- and this is not the author's fault! -- that the reader of the audiobook also has an incredibly annoying voice. Finally, as a highly biased California native and holder of two separate degrees from UC Berkeley, romanticized descriptions of East Coasters at private colleges that let in rich kids who haven't earned their spots generally make me roll my eyes. Because of this, maybe others would like this more than I did, but it just wasn't for me.