lsoucy's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A clever experiment whose genuine humour (especially if you’ve been around university systems) slowly gives place to the pathetic foibles of its main character—a process that is accomplished effectively if simply.
A beach read. It passed the time.
A beach read. It passed the time.
slintangel's review
really felt like i was just reading a miserable man talk shit about his students with no end or change in sight... next!
melanieapril's review against another edition
5.0
The only reason I didn't finish this book faster was because it hit so, so close to home even while being hysterically funny. This novel's protagonist, like academia, is totally ridiculous but mostly well-meaning.
dmhlease's review against another edition
3.0
What a weird, creative, and delightful book. I loved seeing how the author built the characters and relationships in an unconventional format.
rjozinga's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
lorimichelekelley's review
1.0
Audio version: Maybe this would be a better read, as you can read faster than you can listen. It is funny, but after a couple of letters, it just gets old. The guy writing the letters is so cynical that it was hard to have any sympathy for him, and there didn't seem to be any story, so I just gave up at halfway through. I just couldn't listen to anymore of his self-absorption.
the_other_drake's review against another edition
4.0
A cantankerous English professor’s written correspondence stands as the final bulwark against everything from administrative bureaucracy to literary elitism to grammatical imprecision. A romp.
bookhawk's review against another edition
3.0
This book solely comprised of letters from an English professor was an clever idea and at times very funny. It is a quick read with a dry sense of humor using a pithy tone and fantastic vocabulary.
bethreadsandnaps's review
5.0
I really loved this one! And I was excited to find out that this is the first in a series, so I have a couple more to read in the series.
Jason Fitger is in the English department at Payne University. As a faculty member, he is asked by so many people to give letters of recommendation (LORs) for current students, past students, colleagues, and others. Exasperated by his job, and perhaps life after not having any recent publishing successes, his zingers come through in these LORs. Fitger, however, is passionate about getting a paid residency or job for Darren Browles, and this thread is very interesting throughout the book because the tone is so different for Darren than all the others.
This novel, in epistolary form (which is my favorite), is so smart and interesting. I can't wait to find more about Fitger and if he attains happiness. It's evident that the author has been or is a faculty member at a college or university.
Jason Fitger is in the English department at Payne University. As a faculty member, he is asked by so many people to give letters of recommendation (LORs) for current students, past students, colleagues, and others. Exasperated by his job, and perhaps life after not having any recent publishing successes, his zingers come through in these LORs. Fitger, however, is passionate about getting a paid residency or job for Darren Browles, and this thread is very interesting throughout the book because the tone is so different for Darren than all the others.
This novel, in epistolary form (which is my favorite), is so smart and interesting. I can't wait to find more about Fitger and if he attains happiness. It's evident that the author has been or is a faculty member at a college or university.