The Devil and Webster

Naomi Roth serves as the first female president of Webster College, a selective liberal arts school in New England. When student protests erupt on campus over a professor's tenure denial, she finds herself navigating increasingly complex territory between activism and administration. The demonstrators are led by a charismatic Palestinian student named Omar Khayal, whose methods and messaging begin to transform what started as a simple protest into something far more challenging. As tensions escalate and the media spotlight intensifies, Roth must confront difficult questions about power, justice, and truth within academic institutions. A deeply layered narrative emerges about who gets to tell their story and how privilege operates in unexpected ways. The novel examines the evolution of student activism across generations while exploring the sometimes painful distance between progressive ideals and institutional realities.

Readers note the novel's timely exploration of campus politics, protest movements, and institutional power. Many appreciate the complex portrayal of university president Naomi Roth and the moral questions she faces. Positive reviews highlight: - Sharp observations about academic politics - Nuanced treatment of student activism - Strong character development - Realistic portrayal of college administration Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in first half - Too much academic jargon - Underdeveloped supporting characters - Resolution feels rushed Review Sources: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (180+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (editorial review) Sample reader comment: "Korelitz nails the insular world of elite colleges but takes too long getting to the heart of the story" - Goodreads reviewer "The academic setting rings true but the plot meanders" - Amazon reviewer

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🎓 Webster College, the novel's setting, draws inspiration from real elite institutions like Dartmouth and Princeton, where author Jean Hanff Korelitz's husband is a professor. 📚 The book's title plays on "The Devil and Daniel Webster," a classic 1936 short story by Stephen Vincent Benét about a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil. ✍️ Korelitz previously worked in college admissions at Dartmouth, lending authenticity to her portrayal of academic administration and campus politics. 🎬 The author's novel "You Should Have Known" was adapted into the HBO series "The Undoing" starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. 🏛️ The student protest at the center of the novel mirrors real-world campus movements, particularly those involving tenure decisions and racial justice that occurred at universities across America in the 2010s.