A review by whatithinkaboutthisbook
Straight Man by Richard Russo

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Book Review Straight Man by Richard Russo 

 

I really like Russo’s other books Nobody’s Fool, Somebody’s Fool, and Everybody’s Fool.  This book has a similar vibe and writing style as the other ones so I enjoyed it!  His books are character driven, not plot driven, unless a mid life crisis and fighting to ensure he is nothing like his father is plot driven.  

 

Lucky Hank is the interim Chair of the English Department in a small university.  Whether he wants to be a chair is unclear but he certainly likes his increased ability to stir the pot on a larger scale.  I have no idea if the acrimonious cast of characters typifies an English Department but they are weird, quirky and a little     MESSY. I think the one who calls him regularly drunk to chew him out but doesn’t remember calling him is my favourite.  Although his nemesis is a close second.  

 

Hank’s father was also an accomplished academic with much published work and acclaim.  Hank never feels he lives up to this acclaim.  He abandoned the family when Hank was young and they have had a strained and limited relationship.  Hank strives to be nothing like his father.  However, like this things we strive against he is more like him than he wants to admit.  

 

Hank is unapologetically a sh*& disturber and can be a jerk.  However, he is likeable and funny and has an odd quality of seeing the humor in everything, even when he really shouldn’t. Throughout the novel he is  subconsciously struggling to determine if he wants to move up the ladder of academia, whether he can write another novel, and the meaning of his life.  In the midst of this the University is faced with rumours of significant budget cuts and potential job losses. His running inner monologue about what he thinks he can get away with and his plight is so humorous.   

 

This is a funny, fast read and great for those who love quirky, character driven, dialogue rich books.