Read Meserie! by David Lodge Online for Free: A Guide to this Witty and Engaging Story

Meserie! by David Lodge: A Humorous and Insightful Novel about Work and Academia

Introduction

If you are looking for a novel that combines humor, intelligence, and social commentary, you might want to check out Meserie! by David Lodge. This book, originally published in English as Nice Work, is the third installment of Lodge's Campus Trilogy, which satirizes the academic life in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s. However, you don't need to read the previous two books (Changing Places and Small World) to enjoy this one, as it stands on its own as a witty and engaging story.

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But who is David Lodge and why is he famous? And how can you read Meserie! for free online? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we provide you with a summary, an analysis, and a conclusion of this novel. We will also include some frequently asked questions at the end, in case you want to learn more about this book and its author.

Summary of Meserie!

Meserie! is a novel that follows the lives of two very different people who are brought together by a government initiative called "Industry Year". The initiative aims to foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the academic and industrial sectors, by having academics "shadow" managers in various industries for one day a week.

The main characters are Robyn Penrose and Vic Wilcox. Robyn is a young, feminist, postmodernist literary theorist who teaches at Rummidge University (a fictional version of Birmingham University). She specializes in the industrial novels of the 19th century, such as those by Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell. She is also a vegetarian, a pacifist, and a supporter of various progressive causes.

Vic is a middle-aged, conservative, pragmatic engineer who runs a metalworking factory called Pringle's. He is a self-made man who rose from a working-class background to become a successful manager. He is also a family man who has three children and a wife who is unhappy with their marriage.

The novel chronicles their interactions as Robyn shadows Vic for several weeks, observing his work routine, his business meetings, his family life, and his personal problems. Along the way, they clash over their different views on work, culture, politics, gender, and class. They also develop an unlikely attraction that leads to some surprising consequences.

The novel also explores the themes of work and academia, as it contrasts the realities and challenges of both worlds. It shows how Robyn and Vic learn from each other, as they discover the similarities and differences between their professions, their values, and their personalities.

The novel is written in a humorous and ironic style, as it pokes fun at the absurdities and contradictions of both the academic and the industrial spheres. It also uses various literary devices, such as intertextuality, metafiction, and parody, to create a playful and engaging narrative.

Analysis of Meserie!

Meserie! is a novel that can be read on different levels, as it offers both entertainment and insight. On one level, it is a satire that mocks the pretensions and the jargon of both the academic and the industrial worlds. On another level, it is a critique that exposes the problems and the conflicts of both worlds. On yet another level, it is a commentary that reflects on the social and cultural issues of the late 20th century Britain.

One of the main aspects of the novel is its satire and its irony. Lodge uses these techniques to create humor and to make a point. For example, he uses irony to contrast Robyn's theoretical knowledge of the industrial novels with her lack of practical experience of the industrial reality. He also uses satire to ridicule the academic jargon that Robyn and her colleagues use, such as "deconstruction", "signifier", and "intertextuality". He also mocks the industrial jargon that Vic and his associates use, such as "productivity", "quality control", and "market share". He shows how both types of jargon can be used to obscure meaning and to manipulate people.

Another aspect of the novel is its critique of work culture and academic jargon. Lodge uses his novel to question the value and the purpose of both types of work, as he shows how they can be alienating, exploitative, and meaningless. He also shows how both types of work can be affected by external factors, such as politics, economics, and technology. He shows how Robyn's academic work is threatened by budget cuts, bureaucratic regulations, and public indifference. He also shows how Vic's industrial work is threatened by competition, recession, and innovation. He suggests that both types of work need to adapt to the changing times and to find new ways of relating to each other.

A third aspect of the novel is its exploration of gender and class issues. Lodge uses his novel to examine the stereotypes and the prejudices that exist between men and women, and between different social classes. He shows how Robyn and Vic challenge each other's assumptions and expectations, as they encounter each other's realities. He also shows how they influence each other's perspectives and behaviors, as they develop a mutual respect and attraction. He suggests that gender and class differences can be overcome by communication, understanding, and empathy.

Conclusion

Why should you read Meserie!? Because it is a novel that offers you a lot of things: humor, intelligence, social commentary, literary references, and even romance. It is a novel that will make you laugh, think, learn, and feel.

What are some of the main takeaways from the novel? That work is not just about making money or producing knowledge, but also about finding meaning and fulfillment. That academia and industry are not just separate or opposite worlds, but also interconnected and interdependent ones. That men and women, and different social classes, are not just enemies or strangers, but also potential allies and friends.

How does Meserie! relate to Lodge's other works? It is part of his Campus Trilogy, which also includes Changing Places (1975) and Small World (1984). These novels share some characters, settings, themes, and styles. They are all satirical novels that explore the academic life in Britain in different ways. They are also influenced by Lodge's own experience as a professor of English literature at Birmingham University.

FAQs

Is Meserie! based on a true story?

No, Meserie! is not based on a true story. However, it is inspired by some real events and people. For example, the "Industry Year" initiative was a real program that was launched by the British government in 1986 to promote links between education and business. Also, some of the characters are loosely based on some of Lodge's colleagues or acquaintances.

What does the title mean?

How can you read Meserie! for free online?

If you are interested in reading Meserie! for free online, you have a few options. One of them is to use a website called Calaméo, which allows you to browse and download digital publications. You can find a PDF version of Meserie! on this website, which you can read online or download to your device. However, you should be aware that this version may not be authorized by the author or the publisher, and that it may have some errors or omissions.

Another option is to use a website called Archive.org, which is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, music, and more. You can find an English version of Meserie! (under its original title Nice Work) on this website, which you can borrow for 14 days. You can either read it online or download it in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, or Kindle. However, you should be aware that you need to create a free account and sign in to access this service.

A third option is to use a website called Goodreads, which is a social network for book lovers. You can find information and reviews about Meserie! on this website, as well as links to other websites where you can buy or borrow the book. However, you should be aware that you cannot read the full text of Meserie! on this website, and that you may need to pay or register to access some of the links.

Of course, the best option is to buy a legal copy of Meserie!, either in print or in digital format, from a reputable bookstore or online retailer. This way, you can support the author and the publisher, and enjoy the book in its best quality and presentation.

FAQs

Is Meserie! based on a true story?

No, Meserie! is not based on a true story. However, it is inspired by some real events and people. For example, the "Industry Year" initiative was a real program that was launched by the British government in 1986 to promote links between education and business. Also, some of the characters are loosely based on some of Lodge's colleagues or acquaintances.

What does the title mean?

The title Meserie! is a Romanian word that means "profession" or "craft". It is also an exclamation that can express admiration or surprise. Lodge chose this title for the Romanian translation of his novel because he liked its sound and its meaning. He also liked the fact that it was related to his own name (Lodge means "workshop" in French). He thought that it captured the theme of his novel, which is about work and profession.

What are some of the literary references in the novel?

The novel is full of literary references, especially to the industrial novels of the 19th century, such as those by Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell. These novels depict the social and economic conditions of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and often criticize the exploitation and injustice suffered by the workers. Robyn is an expert on these novels, and she often compares them with her own experience of visiting Vic's factory. She also quotes from them or alludes to them in her conversations with Vic and others.

The novel also references other literary works and authors, such as Jane Austen, George Eliot, Henry James, T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Samuel Beckett, Roland Barthes, Jacques Derrida, and many more. These references reflect Robyn's academic background and interests, as well as Lodge's own literary knowledge and influences.

How did Meserie! perform commercially and critically?

Meserie! was first published in 1988 under its original title Nice Work. It was well received by both readers and critics, and it became one of Lodge's most popular and successful novels. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and it won the Sunday Express Book of the Year Award and the Hawthornden Prize. It was also adapted into a television series by the BBC in 1989, starring Haydn Gwynne as Robyn and Warren Clarke as Vic.

The novel has been translated into many languages, including Romanian, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish, and Japanese. It has also been reprinted and reissued several times, with different covers and editions. It is widely regarded as one of Lodge's best and most representative works, and as one of the most entertaining and insightful novels about work and academia in the late 20th century.

Where can you find more information about David Lodge and his books?

If you want to find more information about David Lodge and his books, you can visit his official website, which contains his biography, bibliography, interviews, reviews, essays, and news. You can also follow him on Twitter or Facebook, where he posts updates and comments on various topics. You can also read his books of literary criticism and autobiography, such as The Art of Fiction, The Practice of Writing, Lives in Writing, Quite a Good Time to Be Born, and Writer's Luck. You can also watch his television adaptations or listen to his radio plays. 71b2f0854b