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David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

nytimes.com

11–20 of 22 posts

Re: David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

#11
post #5

I first encountered his novel "Small World" in graduate school, and immediately became a fan. (It was on the reading list for one of my girlfriend's courses.) Along with other novels like "Lucky Jim" and "Straight Man" (and the other two novels in Lodge's campus trilogy), it was a hilarious look at campus life. He will be missed.

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Re: David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

#12
post #8

I enjoyed the name Euphoria State University for his fictional model of UC Berkeley. To combine this news with the AI zeitgeist, consider reading his 2001 novel, Thinks… .

Yes, and the nice touch of situating Euphoria State University in the city of Plotinus.

Re: David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

#14
Apart from his fiction, I can recommend his "The Practice of Writing" from 1996. Not so much for practical writing advice, but because it is an entertaining and interesting read. Even decades after reading it I particularly remember the anecdotes about Graham Greene and how he likely was as much a spy as he was a writer.

Re: David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

#15

Apart from his fiction, I can recommend his "The Practice of Writing" from 1996. Not so much for practical writing advice, but because it is an entertaining and interesting read. Even decades after reading it I particularly remember the anecdotes about Graham Greene and how he likely was as much a spy as he was a writer.

Borrowed. Thank you!

Re: David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

#16
post #7

In this vein of work, I also heartily recommend Kingsley Amis' "Lucky Jim" (1954), which arguably began the "campus novel" genre.

Yes! Also Richard Russo's "Straight Man", which might be my favorite of all these novels about campus life.

You may also enjoy Stoner by John Williams.

Re: David Lodge, British novelist who satirized academic life, has died

#17
post #16
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes! Also Richard Russo's "Straight Man", which might be my favorite of all these novels about campus life.

You may also enjoy Stoner by John Williams.

Wonderful book. I'm not sure that 'enjoy' is quite the term I'd use. For sure some of the tribulations experienced by Stoner would not be news to some sufferers in academia right now.
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