Vladimir

At a small liberal arts college, an English professor becomes obsessed with her department’s hot new recruit. When the married novelist named Vladimir arrives on campus, the unnamed professor at the center of Julia May Jonas’ explosive debut becomes overwhelmed by her attraction to him. This burning desire comes as the prickly narrator grapples with the very public collision of her personal and professional lives: her husband, the charming chair of their department, is being accused of inappropriate relationships with former students. Their marriage was already open, but the investigation has rattled the campus, and the protagonist is becoming increasingly enraged as rumors keep flying and her students confront her about her relationship. Jonas unveils a taut and, at times, outrageous narrative about pleasure, power, and campus politics. —Annabel Gutterman

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