Kristin L. (beautyredefined) reviewed on 7/17/2005 + 32 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

I haven't quite sorted out all my feelings about it; part of me, probably most of me enjoyed it while I was reading it. Russo writes with a dry, clever wit that I appreciate, and he tells his story without unnecessary embellishments. His characters speak for themselves, and Russo certainly creates interesting characters. Set in a dysfunctional English department in a dysfunctional rural college, you get glimpses of a world that is likely quite foreign to you, and yet, you still feel a sense of companionship and of a shared experience at times. His main character, William Henry Deveraux, Jr., is someone that you feel for, but someone I don't fully understand, and likely never will. But then, he doesn't understand himself either - "Which is why we have spouses and children and parents and colleagues and friends, because someone has to know us better than we know ourselves." Anyway - an interesting book, though it sometimes felt a bit long. I'm also trying to connect the Russo that authored this book to the Russo that Jenny Boylan discusses in "She's Not There" and I think that I can see a resemblance. Loose cannons, but loyal in the end.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details