Campusland

Johnston’s standout debut successfully skewers the politically correct culture of liberal arts colleges by chronicling how opportunists use it to their advantage at exclusive Devon University in New England. While teaching Mark Twain, earnest English professor Eph Russell gets unfairly branded a racist by a disingenuous group of self-righteous students led by trust-fund baby Red Wheeler. Red thinks of himself as the top progressive in the school, but he soon finds himself usurped by social-climbing freshman Lulu Harris. Having failed to make the cover of an NYC society rag and indignant after Eph rejects her advances, Lulu decides to put on a performance art project that involves her lying about Eph sexually assaulting her. As the lie gains traction and nationwide attention—though Lulu remains vague about the meaning behind her project and even recants her accusation—power-hungry school officials are blinded by their political correctness: they insist that Lulu must be in denial and Eph is trying to intimidate her. The book culminates in a confrontation orchestrated by Red between Lulu and some of her detractors, which transpires in front of the media, that helps decide Eph’s fate. Johnston’s writing is lively and takes his story through a few surprising turns. This strong debut will resonate with readers who enjoy their parody with a side of pathos. (Aug.)