Sinopsis

As a young lecturer at on of Britain's new red-brick universities Jim Dixon discovers that a firm grasp of his subject is not sufficient to guarantee academic success. Under the auspices of Professor Welch (no other ma of his status sets such store by being called professor) the key to a brilliant career also lies in singing madrigals, distinguishing a flute from a recorder, and being able to resist the charms of Christine, Welch's would-be daughter-in-love... 'A brilliantly and preposterously funny book'. -Guardian- 'Amis drew an immortal portrait of the absent-mindedness, vanity, eccentricity and practical incompetence that academic institutions seen to tolerate and even encourage...a very funny novel' -David Lodge in the Spectator-.