BOOK BRIEF

Straight Man

Richard Russo
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Straight Man

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

Book Brief

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Richard Russo

Straight Man

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

391

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Pennsylvania • 1990s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Straight Man by Richard Russo is a comedic novel that follows William Henry Devereaux Jr., a frustrated and sardonic English professor, as he navigates academic politics, personal crises, and a midlife existential dilemma at a financially struggling college.

Reviews & Readership

4.1

31,741 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Richard Russo's Straight Man is celebrated for its witty prose, relatable academic satire, and well-drawn characters, particularly the protagonist. The humor and astute observations of academic life stand out, though some critics point out occasional pacing issues and a meandering plot. Overall, it offers a humorous and poignant glimpse into university life.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Straight Man?

Fans of witty academic satire and rich character development will relish Richard Russo's Straight Man. Comparable to Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim and David Lodge's campus novels, this book appeals to readers who appreciate humor and the complexities of academic life, all wrapped in an engaging narrative.

4.1

31,741 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

391

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Pennsylvania • 1990s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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