Literature professor Jason Fitger
has a reputation as being the most prolific writer of Letters of Recommendation
(LORs) at Payne College so, naturally, students, even those he has never
actually had in class, ask him for assistance. Fitger also conducts his day to day griping in
the written form penning some of the most classic passive-aggressive missives I
have ever had the pleasure to read. Not
to worry, there is a plot (of sorts) behind all the letters. Fitger desperately pleads the case of his most
promising graduate student to every program he can write an LOR to and we learn
about the professor’s personal life as he writes to his ex-girlfriend and ex-wife
(also members of academia) for their advice, forgiveness and help.
Some of the phrasing in his LORs are
laugh out loud funny and were a delight to read. Interspersed with these gems are the “plot”
letters where you learn more about Fitger and his goals and dreams. It’s a really interesting way to write a book
and in less talented hands it may not have worked. If you need something completely different
that can be read in short increments (great for all the running around we’re
faced with this time of year!) pick this one up.
