Thirteen Albatrosses

A political outsider with no experience decides to run for governor of Arkansas. Vernon Ingledew, a self-taught intellectual who lives with his cousin Jelena, approaches politics as his next subject of systematic study after working through topics alphabetically from A to P. The campaign unfolds against a backdrop of local Arkansas culture and relationships, particularly focused on Vernon's interactions with his close friends Day and Diana Whittacker. Vernon's unorthodox methods and eccentric personality create unusual dynamics in the traditional political landscape. Vernon's campaign faces thirteen major obstacles - the "albatrosses" of the title - which he must navigate while maintaining his unique approach to learning and life. His great-grandfather's legacy as a Reconstruction-era governor of Arkansas adds historical weight to his unconventional candidacy. The novel explores themes of autodidacticism, political authenticity, and the tension between intellectual pursuit and practical governance. It raises questions about the nature of qualification for public office and the role of outsiders in American democracy.

Limited reader reviews exist for this lesser-known Harington novel. Reviews note the book's focus on a cantankerous Arkansas politician running for president, with multiple narrators telling his story. Readers appreciated: - The satirical take on American politics - Complex narrative structure - Arkansas setting and regional details - Dark humor throughout Common criticisms: - Difficult to follow multiple narrative voices - Some found the political commentary dated - Less engaging than other Harington novels Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.67/5 (12 ratings, 2 reviews) Amazon: No ratings available One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "Not Harington's best but still worth reading for his unique voice and perspective on Southern politics." Due to the book's limited circulation and niche appeal, comprehensive reader sentiment is hard to gauge. Most review content comes from academic sources rather than general readers.

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Advise and Consent by Allen Drury Details the confirmation process of a Secretary of State nominee, revealing the inner workings of politics through multiple perspectives in the American political system.

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🔸 Harington, dubbed "the greatest unknown novelist in America" by Entertainment Weekly, taught art history at the University of Arkansas for over 30 years while writing his novels. 🔸 The book's unusual title refers to a belief that seeing an albatross brings bad luck - a superstition that dates back to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." 🔸 The setting draws from Arkansas's rich political history, including colorful governors like Orval Faubus and Bill Clinton, who both served during periods of significant social change. 🔸 The protagonist's alphabetical self-education reflects a real phenomenon called "autodidacticism" - the practice of self-directed learning - famous examples include Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. 🔸 The novel is part of Harington's "Stay More" series, set in a fictional Ozark town that appears in many of his works, creating an interconnected literary universe spanning multiple books.