I just finished reading I Am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe.
It's the story of a freshman at a fictional top university in Pennsylvania. She is from Sparta, North Carolina, a small town up in the mountains. Her family is poor, but Charlotte is an excellent student, the pride of the town, and is going to university on a full scholarship.
On the surface, the story is about the modern university and the sex-crazed culture of today's students. Though it's also about culture clashes between the student sub-cultures: conservative, hardworking working class Charlotte and her like-minded friend Adam; her rich, spoiled, sarcastic, gossipy and promiscuous roommate Beverly; rich arrogant frat boy Hoyt; and Jojo the jock who lives a controlled, intellectually-starved life.
I must admit, it now frightens me that my daughters will be going off to college in four years. Yes, I still remember my own college days... but it was never like this.
It's a good read. Wolfe really did his homework on this one.
Next up: Son of a Witch, by Gregory Maguire.
11:04:04 PM 
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