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Summary: Life With Father
Review: Richard Russo's "Straight Man" is a marvelous novel in the tradition of "Lucky Jim," which is acknowledged in the nickname of Russo's protagonist, William Henry Devereaux, Jr. Lucky Hank chairs the English Department at West Central Pennsylvania University, overseeing a faculty that personifies eccentricity. Devereau's department is in chaotic rebellion, and he must try to herd them through academic politics while he is beset by friends who aren't, enemies who are, family members of three generations in crisis, and an erratic bladder.The plot is absurd, a surrealistic slice of life around a few critical days at the University and in Devereaux's personal life. The characters are vivid and sympathetic. I wanted the book to continue, so I could learn the rest of the story for Meg, Tony, Julie, Rachel, Orshee and several others. A literary critic, perhaps the great William Henry Devereaux, Sr., might find the book to be undisciplined. Who cares? How many novels can be "can't put them down" exciting and at the same time add something of value to what are usually overworked topics: mid-life crises, academic politics, middle-aged romantic and platonic love, and parent-child conflict.
Rating:
Summary: Richard Russo can do no wrong
Review: In "Straight Man", Richard Russo once again has proven to me that he is one of the finest American novelists currently writing. He is brilliant in his simplicity and consistency. I had heard that this novel was his worst, but I would have to disagree. It is just as wonderful as all his others. As funny as "Nobody's Fool" and as tender as "Empire Falls." I really don't know how Russo does it. In every book he manages to create living, breathing characters in minimal plot that keeps the reader entranced far beyond the last page. While his writing style is extremely simple, the reader still marvels at the skill put into every sentence. "Straight Man" is a rip on academia, which all college / graduate students will find hilarious and dead-on. The book focuses on Hank and his struggles as English Chair at a lowly, cash-strapped University in Wrong Side of the Tracks, Pennsylvania. When his wife leaves for the weekend, Hank manages to pretty much completely turn the town upside down inside of three days. He manages to threaten a goose on live TV, get photographed naked in a hot tub with a TV personality, spend a night in jail, and pass a few hours trapped in the ceiling above his colleagues. Russo usually writes in third person ominiscient, which really helps him develop amazing and fully-fleshed characters. I was a little worried when I saw "Straight Man" was written in first person. I shouldn't have been. Russo still somehow manages to give his characters depth and soul. All in all I wasn't able to put this book down. If you haven't read Richard Russo, you are really missing out. This guy is flat-out wonderful.
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