Fiction and Academia: A (Back to School) Thursday Thirteen

Recently I read a very enjoyable novel with an academic setting.  It's been a while since I've read a book like that, and it reminded me how much I like books that touch on academia in some way.  I thought a list might come in handy for the next time I want to read a book with this sort of setting.  Besides it's August, schools are back in session, and Fall is just around the corner.  What better subject than academia in fiction?  Some of these books I have already read, and others are waiting...

1. The Folded Leaf by William Maxwell--I found this one last year in a used bookstore.  I have a feeling this is going to be very good!
2. A Separate Peace by John Knowles--I have a vague recollection of reading this in high school, but I can't recall any details.  I think I have a copy of it still...I should dig it out and give it a reread.
3. Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld--I've heard very good things about this, and so-so things about it. I looking forward to reading it and making up my own mind about it.
4. Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris--I *loved* this when I read it earlier this year.  It has a wonderful twist (a la Fingersmith style--but totally different).  I think it is definitely on my list of top books I've read this year.
5. Old School by Tobias Wolff--This is set in a New England prep school in the 1960s.  It sounds quite literary.  I love the B&W cover of the boys sitting in rows wearing their suits.
6. I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe--I've wanted to read this since Litlove's recommendation!
7. A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson--I had been looking for Ibbotson's books for a long time, which have been out of print.  I see that at least a couple have been reprinted and marketed for a YA audience (maybe they always were YA, but I've always liked the sound of the story YA or not I had to buy them).  This is set partially in Austria.
8. Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh--I loved Scoop, and I have been wanting to read more Waugh.  I love his style.
9. The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman--My favorite book by this author, though I have enjoyed everything I've read by her.
10. The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H. Cook--I really do need to reread this one.  It is a mystery/suspense story--and quite well done!!
11. The Secret History by Donna Tartt--I've had this in hardcover for ages (when exactly was it published....).  I have a feeling I will like it, now when will I ever read it.
12. Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers--I read this last summer, and was happily caught up in the world of Harriet Vane and Oxford.
13. Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell--Another recommendation (though I am sorry I don't remember from who).  I've always been curious about this--you're never told if the narrator is male or female.  How can they pull that one off?  Anyway, I read a review were Caudwell was likened to E.F. Benson and Nancy Mitford.  Now I really do need to read it!

I have a feeling I've only skimmed the very surface of books like these.  If you've read one recently (or not so recently) that you think is good, please feel free to share the title--as always I am happy to add to my wishlist!

Comments

[Ted]

For other novels w/ academic settings - The Book and The Brotherhood by Iris Murdoch, The Small Room by May Sarton, and For Kings and Planets by Ethan Canin also come to mind.

[Dorothy W.]

There must be tons of these! I can think of a bunch that have academics as protagonists: pretty much all of David Lodge's novels, Jane Smiley's Moo, Mary McCarthy's The Groves of Academe, Richard Russo's Straight Man, Michael Chabon's Wonderboys, Francine Prose's Blue Angel, a couple Alison Lurie novels. I love these types of books too!

[Andi]

Ooh ooh, must add! I would recommend Blue Angel, by Francine Prose. I read it a while back and was quite captivated.

And I'm glad to read Ted's recommendation of The Book and the Brotherhood. I bought it on a whim at the used bookstore a while back.

[violetsme]

How about Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley novels? Well Schooled in Murder is the first one that comes to mine, but it seems to me that several in that series take place in the academic world.

[Mindy Withrow]

Another fun one is P.D. James's Death in Holy Orders, which takes place at a seminary.

[Robin]

What a fun idea and a great list! Thanks!

[Susan]

You should move The Secret History to the top of your list. I've already read it a couple of times; it's a great read. I'd also add Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? It's a play, but does take place on a college campus.

[Matt]

Ditto to Gentlemen and Players--I couldn't put it down, so riveting!

Folded Leaf is on the shelf but I've yet to read it.

[Melanie]

I love the Caudwell mysteries! Another academic mystery series is by Joanne Dobson, featuring Professor Karen Pelletier. I think there are four or five??

[Kate S.]

What a great list! I'm an avid reader of academic novels as well but there are a few on your list and in the comments that are new to me.

I would add to the list Lynn Coady's "Mean Boy," William Mcilvanney's "Weekend," Susan Haley's "A Nest of Singing Birds," and Randall Jarrell's "Pictures from an Institution." I also enthusiastically second Melanie's recommendation of Joanne Dobson's Karen Pelletier mysteries. They're among my very favourite mysteries.

I love Eva Ibbotson's YA novels ("Journey to the River Sea" and "The Star of Kazan") and I've got "Song of Summer" on my bookshelf waiting to be read. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

Elaine Showalter wrote a book about academic novels titled "Faculty Towers: The Academic Novel and Its Discontents." I thought that her analysis was deeply flawed, but the book is still worth checking out for its very thorough canvassing of the genre.

[BooksPlease]

I thought of C P Snow's Strangers and Brothers series of books when I read this post. Must go and look for them again.

I've recently read The Secret History which kept my interest all through. I hope you enjoy it if you get round to reading it.

I *Loved* Gentlemen and Players, as well.

[litlove]

What a wonderful list - and fantastic suggestions from other bloggers! I'll have to print this out I think. Zadie Smith's On Beauty was a lot about academics, and the Amanda Cross mysteries all feature her English-lit academic sleuth. Malcolm Bradbury's The History Man is very funny and I remember enjoying Ann oakley's The Men's Room. I adore the Sarah Caudwell stories, by the way, and have read them all.

[hobgoblin]

Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim. The academic murder mysteries by Amanda Cross. Joanne Dobson's mysteries.

[Courtney]

I read I Am Charlotte Simmons because of Litlove's recommendation as well - it is a fascinating read, although not a likable book, if that makes sense. I read my first Harris this summer (Coastliners) and enjoyed it so Gentlemen and Players will be added to my list...

[Eva]

I hated A Seperate Peace-in fact, I recently chose it as the worst fiction I was ever forced to read, lol.

However, I loved Gentlemen and Players (did you figure out the twist? I guessed it on pg 40, which I remember because I called my mom as a witness, lmao) and Gaudy Night!

[Danielle]

Ted--I've heard of all three authors, but not a single one of those books. Thanks for the suggestions!
Dorothy--I've only read Mary McCarthy (and not that book) out of this batch. I really should read Jane Smiley, and I plan on reading Alison Lurie. Thanks for the other ideas. It does look like there are lots of these--I've gotten great suggestions!
Andi--Another Blue Angel fan. I've just gone and mooched a copy! Thanks!
Violetsme--I love the Lynley mysteries. They came to mind when I was thinking about this post, but then I forgot to add her when I was actually writing. She does have a couple with academic settings. Not too long ago I was thinking of rereading the series and starting from the beginning, but I haven't gotten to it.
Mindy--I've just started my first PD James (but not this one), I will add this one to my list--thanks!
Robin--I really enjoy this sort of book, but I had never made a list of them--it was good timing and I have lots of good ideas now for new reads! I hope you find some good ones here as well.
Susan--I think I will like it when I get to it. I'm not sure why I haven't yet read it (something else keeps getting in the way). I've heard of the play, but I never knew what it was about. I'll have to go and look it up!
Matt-I loved the Harris book. I have a feeling it is quite different than her other books. Doesn't the Maxwell look great?!
Melanie--I think the cover art was what first drew me to the Caudwell book. It's too bad the author passed away with so few books written. I plan on checking out the Dobson mysteries, too.
Kate--Thanks for the great ideas--all the books are new to me (except the mystery series). I had heard of Eva Ibbotson's novels but had never been able to get my hands on them. I'm so glad they are being reprinted. The scholarly book also sounds interesting--I'll have to see if my library has it.
BooksPlease--CP Snow--yet another new author for me! I think I will enjoy the Donna Tartt book. I remember when it came out it was so popular. Maybe I should go and pull out my copy now. Have you read other of Joanne Harris's novels?
Litlove--I think I am going to have to add all these titles to my above list--what great suggestions (I'm going to have to print it as well). I have looked at the Zadie Smith book, but can't ever decide on it. Perhaps I will see about mooching a copy.
Hobgoblin--I've never read any K. Amis (I always get confused if he is the father or son), but I have heard of Lucky Jim. I have one or two of Joanne Dobson's books--I'll have to dig them out. I've heard of Amanda Cross, but now I'll have to mooch something by her. I didn't realize she is actually Carolyn Heilbrun!
Courtney--I know what you mean. A book can be very good, but still not a favorite. I am looking forward to getting to it! Definitely read Gentlemen and Players--it was excellent, I thought!
Eva--I did see that you are not a fan of A Separate Peace! :) I know I read it, but I don't have a recollection that I specifically loved or hated it. You are good--I totally didn't see the twist in G&P coming! I am sure she must have dropped hints, but I never picked up on them. It was such a surprise when I figured out what was going on! I love books like that--that you think you know what is happening, but you really don't!

[Danielle]

By the way--Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. I will have to make a list of all the books so anyone can easily print out the titles. This is obviously the type of story that is appealing to many!