The Fool's Journey: A Romance [Paperback]

Lynn C Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2002

"The Fool’s Journey is, at once, a bitingly funny academic satire, a clear-eyed look at friendship, love and sexuality, and an erudite, riveting examination of the work and life of one of America’s greatest writers (Edith Wharton). That so much could be accomplished in the pages of one novel is a testimony to the talents of its author. Lynn Miller is a writer who edifies even as she charms and entertains—a rare feat."--Kathleen Cambor, author of The Book of Mercy and In Sunlight in a Beautiful Garden

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Unfortunately for literature professor Fiona Hardison, sleeping with the boss isn't exactly a career-enhancing move. When her smarmy lover, the unfortunately named Sigmund Froelich, denies her promotion, ostensibly because she has failed to complete her long-overdue biography of Edith Wharton, Fiona takes an unflagging and often unusual course to reevaluate her professional and personal relationships. Tarot readings, thoughtful retreats, heartfelt discussions with a riotous cast of sympathetic friends, none are as rewarding as immersing herself in writing about Wharton, her muse and alter-ego, and the subsequent discovery of unsettling parallels between Wharton's life and her own gives Fiona both the guidance and the courage to change. Prowling the corruptly competitive halls of academe, Miller provides an intelligent and ambitious look at the publish-or-perish world of high-stakes education. In an unconventional book-within-a-book device, Miller reveals lengthy excerpts from Fiona's work-in-progress, a fascinating study of Wharton in its own right, and the perfect accompaniment to a smart, satiric send-up of the Machiavellian world of ivory tower passions and politics. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"In an unconventional book-within-a-book device, Miller reveals lengthy excerpts from Fiona's work-in-progress, a fascinating study of Wharton in its own right, and the perfect accompaniment to a smart, satiric send-up of the Machiavellian world of ivory tower passions and politics."--Carol Haggas (Carol Haggas )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Winedale Publishing; 1 edition (September 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970152582
• ISBN-13: 978-0970152589
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,015,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absorbing and invigorating, November 7, 2002

By 

Joli Jensen (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fool's Journey: A Romance (Paperback)

Not only is The Fool's Journey a delightful read, it isalso wonderfully constructed--the mixing of Edith Wharton and Fiona's story works well.
The book is wise about the vagaries of academic life. It is an absorbing and invigorating read that says so much, so well, about how to make the journey from academic enmeshment to autonomy. And it says it without becoming didactic or simplistic--instead, it is a witty, tender and insightful account.
I'm already recommending this to all my women colleagues.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bogus reviews!!, July 14, 2010

By 

Fred C. Bunch "basshunter" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fool's Journey: A Romance (Paperback)

Two of the reviews on this book are EXACTLY THE SAME, only with different user names!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars engaging and insightful, April 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fool's Journey: A Romance (Paperback)

This is an excellent novel! I was immediately engaged in Fiona's story. Miller successfully blends the world of back-stabbing academia with Edith Wharton's biographical tale. I found myself riveted by both stories and the Tarot readings are simply delightful. I have already given copies to my friends and relatives--makes a great graduation gift!