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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.
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Summary: A laugh riot
Review: Russo has become one of my favorite authors. After reading Empire Falls, I read all his other novels, and this one stands out by its comic elements. Unlike his other books, this is a true laugh riot from beginning to end. With bizarre situations, characters who are out of place, and tongue-in-cheek humor, Russo gives us a great comic novel. It's hard to say if he should write more in this vein; his other books are far more profound. But this is a great laugh.
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Summary: I love this book
Review: This is probably the best book I have read all year. I have recommended it to many people and they all enjoyed it. Definitely worth the read!
Rating:
Summary: laugh out loud
Review: You know, I have to tell you I was nervous about reading Straight Man. I bought Richard Russo's book Nobody's Fool at a second-hand bookshop in Taiwan, and since then I carried that darn heavy book in my backpack while being on the road travelling for 2 years, because it was a book I read over and over, and laughed each time at his descriptions of Rub with the doughnut, Sully's truck, and I just loved Beryl. Oh, that book is bittersweet. Alas, I finally gave it away somewhere in China to someone I thought was worthy of it, and decided (deep breath) I should try another Russo book. Straight Man. So now, I have another travelling companion. In the first chapter or 2, I didn't really warm to the character of Hank, but as with Nobody's Fool, as the book continues, you can't help but wish you knew these characters to joke with and have as your lopsided friends. I don't want to write too much regarding plot, etc, as there are plenty of other reviews doing that, but if you want to read a book to warm your heart, enjoy humanity with all its quirks and quips and lurks, then read Richard Russo. Read Straight Man. It's one to savour.
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