William Henry Devereaux Jr. serves as the interim chairman of the English department at West Central Pennsylvania University, a struggling institution facing severe budget cuts. Over the course of a single chaotic week, Devereaux navigates a midlife crisis, a painful case of kidney stones, and the potential loss of his job. He deals with eccentric colleagues terrified of layoffs, a distant father who is a legendary academic, and a local news crew. To cope with the administrative dysfunction, he jokingly threatens to kill a goose on local television until his department receives its funding.
This novel is for readers who enjoy academic satire and the absurdity of workplace bureaucracy. It appeals to those who appreciate a protagonist who uses biting wit and sarcasm as a defense mechanism against professional stagnation. Readers finish the book with a cynical understanding of how personal insecurities and office politics stall institutional progress. It provides a realistic look at the fragile egos within higher education and the humor found in everyday domestic frustrations.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1997
- Language
- EN
