For anyone familiar with the petty politics of academe, this book is great laugh therapy. Russo's subject matter in this novel resembles that of David Lodge-- the turf wars and ego contests of liberal arts professors. "Straight Man" is the story of William Henry Devereaux, Jr.: professor, husband, father, midlife-crisis-age American intellectual.
Hank is not exactly an admirable, warm fellow. In fact, he's basically an asshole with enough charm that he retains some followers and keeps his enemies mostly at bay. The book details about a week of his life, during which he is threatened to be ousted from his department chair. The reasons for it are out of his control, however, and revolve mainly around the possibility of deep budget cuts that could extend into the tenured ranks. His colleagues fear that he has made a "list" for the dean containing the names of those whose heads should roll. But Hank has not made a list because he doesn't even have his budget from the dean yet! Not that this appeases his collegues-- paranoia is running high at this small-town college.
In an impulsive response, Hank declares that he will kill "a duck a day" from the pond on campus until he receives a budget from the administration. This is one of the most exciting things that has happened on campus for a while. It sets off a chain of events whose reverberation only serves to highlight just how pathetic and parochial the concerns of small-college liberal arts professors can get.
In multiple parallel threads, various aspects of Hank's personal life are entwined with what's going on in his department. His daughter is breaking up with her husband, his father is moving back into town after having abandoned him and his mother decades ago, and he is going through a bizarre and somewhat embarrassing medical problem. Meanwhile, his wife is out of town.
Russo's style is subtle and clever, moving the story along with just the right amount of hilarity. "Straight Man" keeps the reader laughing without degenerating into farce. The events and characters are indeed laughable... and all too real. This book is recommended for anyone who is or who knows a professor.
Copyright © Kim Allen 2002
