Grady Tripp, a middle-aged English professor in Pittsburgh, wrote a successful novel years ago and has spent seven years trying to finish a second one, which has grown to thousands of pages. Over one chaotic weekend during a college literary festival, his wife leaves, he is involved with the chancellor, and he has to deal with his wild editor Terry Crabtree and with a talented student, James Leer, who may be hiding a secret. Chabon uses lively comedy and sharp observation.
It suits readers who like funny campus novels about writing and failure. It is for those who enjoy characters who stumble through their own mess and a style packed with jokes.
Inward-looking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1995
- Language
- EN
