OK. I know that our little investigation into English Studies this semster has been quite a ride. Pulling the curtain back on the field has been frustrating, enlightening, disconcerting, invigorating, disheartening, overwhelming, empowering, and a whole slew of additional “ing” words that you can feel free to add youself.
So, as a way to end the semester…or better, to provide some suggestions for a little post semester detoxing…I thought I’d send a list of lighter English Studies narratives. I don’t know how many of you have poked around in the subgenre of academic novels–that is, novels about the academy and academics–but these will certainly provide a little levity suitable for snowy day reflections on the field we love.
- Straight Man: A Novel
by Richard Russo - Moo
by Jane Smiley - The Lecturer’s Tale: A Novel
by James Hynes - Publish and Perish: Three Tales of Tenure and Terror
by James Hynes - Small World
by David Lodge - Blue Angel: A Novel
by Francine Prose - The Groves of Academe
, by Mary McCarthy
I’ll admit that I haven’t read all of these. However, after our class, I put the ones I haven’t read on my Christmas list!
If you decide to pick up a couple of these and find yourself feeling a bit edgy…it might be because you still have that pen in your hand as you read and your are craving secondary texts–you know, criticism! Don’t worry. Be calm and check out Elaine Showalter’s Faculty Towers: The Academic Novel and Its Discontents
Whew.
Anyway, I hope you have a restful break. Thanks for a great semester.
P.S. don’t forget to fill out the survey!
