A review by lorikleininak
Straight Man by Richard Russo

adventurous emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

My first Richard Russo, and one that made me laugh to boot. Straight Man follows William Henry (Hank) Devereaux, Jr. through the course of an an academic semester at his small, public liberal arts college in the East. He's temporary chair of his department. There are rumors of budget cuts. There are rumors his estranged father may be moving back to town. His daughter may or may not be leaving her husband. His wife may or may not be having an affair. One thing Hank knows for sure: he needs to pass a kidney stone. And under all this pressure, he makes a threat that topples his life into pure chaos for one week. 

Alternately laugh out loud funny and tedious with the musings of an academic having a mid-life crisis, I overall liked Straight Man. I can't believe I've never read Richard Russo before, and I look forward to reading more of his work.