Book (1992)

This skillful satire, set at the University of Washagon, pits "evil" literary theorists against classical scholars: someone is trying to kill English professor Adam Snell and his novel. Grudin's concern about the lack of support for creativity in an academic setting, previously explored in the nonfiction work Grace of Great Things ( LJ 5/15/90), here gets a fairy-tale resolution, with fame, wealth, and love coming to Snell as a result of his truth-telling novel Sovrana Sostrata. Funny and perceptive, Book parodies literary forms (there's a revolt among the footnotes) and the power struggles within university life. This unique, well-constructed blend of truth, humor, and suspense is essential for academics: fun to read, but with real sustenance.
- Rebecca S. Kelm, Northern Kentucky Univ., Highland Heights

When Professor Adam Snell disappears from his office at University of Washagon, and then most copies of his somewhat controversial and already rare novel start to disappear, the police find him almost dead. Book is the story of his recovery, search for the killer (who is revealed to the audience early in the book) and the burgeoning commercial success of the book upon republication.

Admittedly, I am probably not this novel's target audience. I found it a bit dated, lacking in tension for most of the book and an amateurish satire of the field of post-modern literary theory. While I can appreciate the absurdity of academia, I found the book a bit tiresome and not much in the story to recommend it. ( )