Rarely do I fail to finish a book. However, I must say that this book is one for which I was happy to make an exception. The narrative, which is in fact essentially fiction, conforms to Dorothy Parker's dictum (and I paraphrase): "This is not a book to be set aside lightly; it should be thrown with great force." When I was a student at Hampshire, I avoided people like Richard Rushfield, just as I avoid them now.

And by the way, Hampshire is what you make of it. If you are immature, there is a good possibility you will make nothing of it--or worse, become a malignant force like Mr. Rushfield and his pals.