The Groves of Academe, Mary McCarthy
The Groves of Academe, Mary McCarthy
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The Groves of Academe
A Novel

Author: Mary McCarthy

Narrator: Diana Gardiner

Unabridged: 9 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/05/2026

Synopsis

A college instructor embarks on a fanatical quest to save his job—and enact righteous revenge—in this brilliantly acerbic satire of university politics during the early Cold War years Henry Mulcahy's future is in question. An instructor of literature at Jocelyn College, an institute of higher learning renowned for its progressive approach to education, he has just received word that he will not be teaching next semester. He strongly suspects that his dismissal has been engineered by his nemesis, the college president, who Henry believes resents his superior skills as an educator. Or perhaps he is being targeted by the government in this Cold War era, now that Senator Joseph McCarthy's communist witch hunt is in full swing, especially since Henry's dedication to independent thinking is, he believes, renowned. Whatever the case, Henry Mulcahy wants justice—and vengeance—and he will not go quietly without a fight. But the battle might expose too much of Henry's true nature . . . Witty and biting, Mary McCarthy's The Groves of Academe is a deliciously pointed satire of the world of higher education and its petty despots, tiny wars, and internal politics. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Mary McCarthy including rare images from the author's estate.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Justin on September 04, 2014

Interesting to wonder why Mary McCarthy's 'Groves' is so little read, while 'Stoner' is re-released to great acclaim seemingly every five years I hear my wife calling, she says, "Gee, why could this book by a woman that's just like that book by a man be less highly rated even though it's just as goo......more

Goodreads review by John-Paul on July 03, 2014

Regarding the faculty: “Everyone felt called to stipulate, like a lawyer, his own degree of interest in the case, and to distinguish his own area of human solidarity from that of his neighbor, carefully set up boundaries and limits, eminent domain.” “These continuous factional disputes and ideologica......more

Goodreads review by Jonfaith on March 25, 2022

My least favorite McCarthy so far. The reading of this novel was but series of misconceptions, failed predictions about the narrative course. There’s something to commend in that sort of plotting. I did read much of this in airports and then today when I’ve discovered I’m infected again. Sigh. Groves......more

Goodreads review by Owen on February 24, 2025

A very well written book that I hated to enjoy. I don’t know if I should find this book excellent or bad. It is certainly something. Potentially the best written gossip, but alas, it is entirely gossip. The characters are all spiteful and selfish, the plot is minimal. In the end you are left wonderi......more

Goodreads review by Mara on March 29, 2024

Been meaning to read this for like 15 years, and I enjoyed it - think Pnin meets Stoner......more

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