Books matching: academia absurdities
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- #1
'Straight Man' by Richard Russo is a humorous and insightful novel set in the world of academia, specifically focusing on the life of William Henry Devereaux, Jr., an English professor at a mediocre college in Pennsylvania. The book delves into the absurdities and challenges of academic life, showcasing the petty backstabbing, administrative idiocy, and personal struggles faced by the characters. Through witty narration and hilarious characterizations, Russo provides a satirical yet touching portrayal of midlife crises, academic politics, and the complexities of human relationships.
The plot of 'Straight Man' revolves around William Henry Devereaux, Jr., who finds himself embroiled in a week of crises as the acting chairman of the English department. The novel blends humor and pathos, offering a mix of laugh-out-loud moments and quiet insights into the characters' lives. Russo's writing style is praised for its clever observations, sharp wit, and engaging storytelling, making the book a compelling exploration of academia, relationships, and personal growth.
When my nose finally stops bleeding and I’ve disposed of the bloody paper towels, Teddy Barnes insists on driving me home in his ancient Honda Civic, a car that refuses to die and that Teddy, cheap as... - #2
'The Liar' by Stephen Fry is a witty and entertaining novel that follows the life of Adrian Healey, a compulsive liar, through his experiences at public school and Cambridge University. The writing style alternates between being clever and obscene, with jumps in chronology and random interludes related to clothing. The story is full of twists and turns, mysterious spy elements, and colorful characters, all narrated with Fry's trademark wit and humor.
The plot of 'The Liar' revolves around questions of identity and the lies we tell ourselves and others, exploring themes of nature, narratives, and absurdity. The novel is a mix of autobiographical elements and fictionalized accounts, with a blend of humor, mystery, and espionage that keeps readers guessing until the end. Fry's writing is described as unique, erudite, and full of linguistic skill, reminiscent of other great British authors, making 'The Liar' a delightful and engaging read.
Adrian checked the orchid at his buttonhole, inspected the spats at his feet, gave the lavender gloves a twitch, smoothed down his waistcoat, tucked the ebony Malacca-cane under his arm, swallowed twi... - #3Pymby:
Former professor of American literature Chris Jaynes is determined to find out the truth behind Edgar Allen Poe's novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. After finding an old slave manuscript that seems to allude to the same subject as Poe's novel, Jaynes convinces a crew of six other black men to follow Pym's trail to the South Pole to search for the answer to one of literature's greatest mysteries. The book is described as a bizarre, hilarious, scathing satire of American racism, all refracted through the lens of Poe's work, with a mix of comedic elements, social commentary, and exploration of race relations.
ALWAYS thought if I didn’t get tenure I would shoot myself or strap a bomb to my chest and walk into the faculty cafeteria, but when it happened I just got bourbon drunk and cried a lot and rolled int... - #4
The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips is a mysterious and intriguing novel set in the 1920s in Egypt. The story follows an eccentric Egyptologist, Ralph Trilipush, who is on a quest to uncover a fabled tomb, similar to Howard Carter's discovery of King Tut's tomb. Through letters, journals, and various characters' perspectives, the reader navigates a narrative filled with unreliable narrators, archeological exploration, and a blend of fact and fantasy. The plot unfolds with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged as they unravel the layers of deception and uncover the truth behind the characters' motivations and actions.
The book's writing style is praised for its use of multiple viewpoints, including letters, journal entries, and maps, which create a rapid pace, good character development, humor, and action. The narrative structure adds depth to the story, allowing readers to piece together the mysteries alongside the characters. With elements of archeology, murder, and complex characters, The Egyptologist offers a unique reading experience that blends historical accuracy with imaginative storytelling, keeping readers enthralled until the surprising and satisfying conclusion.
Your father and I are heading home tomorrow, back to you—the luxurious riverboat north to Cairo, a night at that city’s Hotel of the Sphinx, then by rail to Alexandria, and from there we have booked v... Bunny by Mona Awad is a bizarre and unsettling novel that follows Samantha, a graduate writing student, as she navigates the strange world of her creative writing program. The book delves into themes of loneliness, struggle, female friendship, and the power of the mind, all wrapped in a surreal and twisted narrative. As Samantha becomes entangled with a group of girls called The Bunnies, the story takes a dark turn, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The writing style is described as unique, audacious, and at times, darkly humorous, keeping the reader engaged with its unpredictable plot twists and eccentric characters.
And then they hug each other so hard I think their chests are going to implode. I would even secretly hope for it from where I sat, stood, leaned, in the opposite corner of the lecture hall, departmen...- #6
A Perfect Vacuum by Stanisław Lem is a collection of reviews of non-existing books, showcasing Lem's wit and creativity. The book presents a fascinating array of philosophical pieces, science fictional stories, and satires on diverse topics without actually writing any of the books reviewed. Lem offers a unique and inventive approach to satire by critiquing imaginary literary works and exploring fully original ideas in just a couple of pages.
Reviewing nonexistent books is not Lem’s invention; we find such experiments not only in a contemporary writer, Jorge Luis Borges (for example, his “Investigations of the Writings of Herbert Quaine”),... - #7
Michael Frayn's "Skios" is a farcical novel set on a Greek island, where mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and coincidences lead to a series of comedic mishaps and confusion. The plot revolves around a mix-up between a renowned speaker and a charming impostor, exploring themes of identity, human folly, and the capriciousness of events. Frayn's writing style is described as light, satirical, and humorous, with a touch of intellectualism underlying the classic farce elements.
- #8
As She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan Lethem is a quirky and satirical novel that follows the story of Philip, an anthropology professor, whose physicist girlfriend, Alice, falls in love with a mysterious void named Lack created in her physics lab. The book explores themes of love, academia, and the nature of reality through the lens of a unique love triangle involving a physicist, a social scientist, and 'nothing'. Lethem's writing style combines cleverness, humor, and wit to create a story that delves into the complexities of relationships and human emotions while incorporating elements of science fiction and academic satire.
I knew my way to Alice. I knew where to find her. I walked across campus that night writing a love plan in my head, a map across her body to follow later, when we were back in our apartment. It wouldn... - #9
'The History Man' by Malcolm Bradbury is a satire set in the early 1970s at the University of Watermouth, focusing on the life of sociology professor Howard Kirk and his wife Barbara. The narrative follows Howard's manipulative and chaotic behavior, including his interactions with colleagues and students, as well as his attempts at social engineering. The writing style is described as sharp and dense, incorporating academic jargon and darkly comic scenes to portray the complexities of the characters and the campus culture of the time.
Now it is the autumn again; the people are all coming back. The recess of summer is over, when holidays are taken, newspapers shrink, history itself seems momentarily to falter and stop. But the paper... - #10Portuguese Irregular VerbsBook 1 in the series:Portuguese Irregular Verbs
"Portuguese Irregular Verbs" by Alexander McCall Smith follows the adventures of Professor Dr. Moritz Maria von Igelfeld, a pompous and eccentric German philologist, and his colleagues as they navigate the world of academia with humorous undertakings and tame adventures. The stories are light-hearted, entertaining, and gently poke fun at the world of academics, set in various locations like Germany, Ireland, and Italy. The writing style is described as witty, light, and complex, with a focus on academic culture and sociological situations faced by intellectuals.
At the Annual Congress of Romance Philology in Zürich, the three professors decided to stay in a small village on the edge of the lake. There was an excellent train which took them into the city each ...