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Though Hank tries to apply William of Occam's rational approach (choose simplicity) to each increasingly absurd situation, and even has a dog named after the philosopher, he does seem to cause most of his own enormous difficulties. Not least when he grabs a goose and threatens to off a duck (sic) a day until he gets his budget. The fact that he is also wearing a fake nose and glasses and doing so in front of a TV camera complicates matters even further. Hank tries to explain to one class that comedy and tragedy don't go together, but finds the argument "runs contrary to their experience. Indeed it may run contrary to my own." It runs decidedly against Richard Russo's approach in Straight Man, and the result is a hilarious and touching novel. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, great author,
By My real name attribution "Henry "B"" (New Brunswick) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Straight Man: A Novel (Paperback)
I hate to admit that when I picked this book, I did so for the title and description, having NO IDEA that Russo was the author--the same great author who wrote EMPIRE FALLS. No wonder this book knocked me out. In the same great tradition as Foer's EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED or perhaps McCrae's KATZENJAMMER, this is a one-of-a-kind book that will not be for everyone. You have to think, appreciate details, and be willing to surrender yourself to the author--trust him and his style and technique. On a scale of one to five, this is definitely a ten.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life With Father,
By
This review is from: Straight Man: A Novel (Paperback)
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dead-on-aim,
By A Customer
This review is from: Straight Man: A Novel (Paperback)
As with all Russo books, the main thing is the characters. Russo is probably the best author we've got when it comes to creating people and all of his books are character driven. His portrait of the middle-aged college professor is so accurate that it's disturbing, and even Russo's descriptions of settings are dead-on--as if they themselves were characters. Of the three great books I've read recently ("Bark of the Dogwood," "Rule of Four" and this one) "Straight Man" is without a doubt the best.
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