The Deconstruction of Professor Thrub

Longlisted for The Goldsmiths Prize, UK. This is a brightly intelligent novel about campus life, Ukrainian History, the Spanish Civil War ... and love. Freewill, love, death, revolution - a student has the themes for his creative writing PhD. He pins them to Elsie Stewart and embarks on her biography. Love takes Elsie to the Spanish Civil War while the story hurtles off into the maelstrom of Ukrainian twentieth century history. Can Professor Thrub's post-structural guidance haul the project back on track? Will love and surgery redeem our student's struggles for a good life, significance and a doctorate? This biting comedy of love, desperation and existence offers a thrilling ride into the world of a major new writer.