This is a book that consists of Letters of Recommendation. The author of these recommendations is one Jason Fitger, a frustrated and often caustic Professor of Creative Writing and Literature in a small midwestern college. As we learn from loads of extra information that Prof. Fitger shares with the recipients of these letters, whether they need or want it or not, sentences that reveal Fitger as opinionated and frustrated with his college, colleagues, relationship status, students, and his own writing development and reception.
As these Letters of Recommendation ooze snark, disdain, sarcasm, passive aggressive comments, and "did he really write that?" comments, many of the Letters are wickedly hilarious. They also lead the reader to ponder what is going on in education these days.
Prof. Fitger notes that money is clearly being lavishly spent on the sciences and social sciences while the Humanities are merely being kept alive. Adjuncts are hired instead of full time professors. The building that houses the English department and other humanities is falling apart while new building is going on elsewhere on campus.
The funniest recommendations are when he MUST submit the reference via a school or business' online questionnaire forms.
The author of this novel is an English Professor who has herself written lots and lots of Letters of Recommendation. Although, I certainly hope that she has never written one like the ficticious Prof. Fitger. God have mercy on the unsuspected subject of anyone who writes recommendations like that!
In today's world, many in and out of the academy question the value of the humanities in general and English and writing classes in particular. Through Prof. Fitger, Schumacher addresses the value of a major in Literature. I particular like what is said in the recommendation for Quentin Eshe for Addistar Network found on page 98-99 in the hardback copy I read:
"...it occurs to me that some members of your HR committee, a few skeptical souls, may be clutching a double strand of worry beads and wondering aloud about the practicality or usefulness of a degree in English rather than, let's say, computers. Be assured: the literature student has learned to inquire, to question, to interpret, to critique, to compare, to research, to argue, to sift, to analyze, to shape, to express. His intellect can be put to broad use. The computer major, by contrast, is a technician, - a plumber clutching a single, albeit shining, box of tools."
Dear Committee Members is the first of a trilogy. The Shakespeare Requirement is already published and the English Experience comes out in August of 2023.
Comments
Post a Comment