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Confusing,
Difficult,
Inspiring

3 reviews

Moo
by Jane Smiley

Published: 2009-02-24
Paperback : 432 pages
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In this darkly satirical send-up of academia and the Midwest, we are introduced to Moo University, a distinguished institution devoted to the study of agriculture. Amid cow pastures and waving fields of grain, Moo’s campus churns with devious plots, mischievous intrigue, lusty liaisons, ...

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Introduction

In this darkly satirical send-up of academia and the Midwest, we are introduced to Moo University, a distinguished institution devoted to the study of agriculture. Amid cow pastures and waving fields of grain, Moo’s campus churns with devious plots, mischievous intrigue, lusty liaisons, and academic one-upmanship, Chairman X of the Horticulture Department harbors a secret fantasy to kill the dean; Mrs. Walker, the provost's right hand and campus information queen, knows where all the bodies are buried; Timothy Monahan, associate professor of English, advocates eavesdropping for his creative writing assignments; and Bob Carlson, a sophomore, feeds and maintains his only friend: a hog named Earl Butz. Wonderfully written and masterfully plotted, Moo gives us a wickedly funny slice of life.

Editorial Review

The hallowed halls of Moo University, a midwestern agricultural institution (aka "cow college"), are rife with devious plots, mischievous intrigue, lusty liaisons, and academic one-upsmanship. In this wonderfully written and masterfully plotted novel, Jane Smiley, the prizewinning author of A Thousand Acres, offers a wickedly funny, darkly poignant comedy. A finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction.

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Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Too much"by Michelle M. (see profile) 03/18/11

I liked a couple of the stories within and the writer's prose is interesting but there were way too many characters and too many stories at once.

 
  "Moo"by Susan A. (see profile) 01/21/11

I just couldn't get into the story. I found it difficult to keep track of so many characters. The characters lacked depth, and in the end, I didn't care about any of them.

 
  "Moo"by Patricia G. (see profile) 01/20/11

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