Boy, Campusland was a tough read. After reading that blurb, I was interested. I like dry humor, I like snark, and in most cases I appreciate people who push the envelope. Unfortunately, Campusland tried to take on way too many topical issues using wildly unlikable characters who do terrible things.

Most of Johnston's characters are hyper-exaggerated stereotypes. There’s a social justice warrior who speaks poetry (because writing it down would preserve it, and true poetry is fleeting.) An entitled millennial obsessed with appearances and making it big on social media. An old-timer who "doesn't get " the changing social landscape. A trust fund kid with nothing to do but smoke pot, stir up controversy, and rail against the man. And so on.

I have to admire Johnston for having the guts to poke fun at people from all walks of life. That's not easy to do in today's age. I was entertained by these caricatures at first and did laugh at some parts. But eventually the story just became uncomfortable to read. Because they're one-dimensional characters, there's nowhere for them to go. There's no heart underneath all the snark. And I get that this is satire so it parodies real life, but some of the actions these characters take just hit too close to home.

Sidenote: Johnston’s uses a lot of big impressive words in his prose, so it can be tedious to read. I'm a fan of simplicity and brevity. That's just my preference for writing style. Even though it wasn’t for me, I'm sure many readers will find his tone and language enhances the story.

Finally, I'm not quite sure who this book was written for, or its true purpose. It IS billed as a satirical look at higher education. Does that mean it's written for the students? Professors? Anyone who's ever been to college? Because there is a big cast of very different characters, that's what I'm inclined to think, and that’s where the problem lies. Too many characters and too many controversial topics, so nothing is achieved in this book.

Overall, I found some parts funny but most were super painful to read. Johnston nails the mannerisms and attitudes of his characters, but none of them really go through a character arc. I nearly DNFed this but I stuck it out until the end, hoping for it to turn around. Sadly, it didn’t for me. I already know that Campusland will get mixed reviews from people of all ages, with all kinds of political views, from all types of backgrounds. Maybe that’s what Scott Johnston was going for.

I was eager to read Campusland after reading the blurb. I thought that it was going to be a comedy mixed with today’s social issues. For the most part, that is what I got. But there were certain parts of Campusland where I felt the author was trying too hard. And it was those parts of the book that made it fall short for me.

Campusland is the story of Devon University and the year of upheavals that it endures. Caught in the middle of everything is Eph Russell, an English professor trying to make tenure. He is also trying to make it through the year. Lulu is a first-year who has aspirations to become an Instagram star and a socialite. Instead, she is attending Devon University and hating it. Red, in his seventh year at Devon, is the top social activist on campus. His activities have been limited to small protests. When he is threatened, Red takes drastic measures, which affect Eph and Lulu in ways that they can’t imagine. What will happen when all paths collide? What will happen?

Like I mentioned above, I was excited to read Campusland. I enjoy reading about social issues that are affecting today’s youths (holy crap, I sound so old here!!). The events that happen at Devon University have been ripped, for the most part, from the headlines. As I got into the book, though, I started to feel a disconnect from Campusland.

I did feel sorry for Eph. He was the real victim in this book. He got no say to defend himself from every accusation that was brought against him. Instead, there was an internal investigation. The internal investigation was biased because the woman running it was hell-bent on proving him guilty.

I couldn’t stand Lulu. From the moment she appeared in the book, I disliked her. She was a self-centered, spoiled brat with kleptomaniac tendencies. Everything she did was to promote her brand, which disgusted me later on in the book.

I also didn’t like Red. At first, he came across as one of those stoner activists. But as the book went on, he became more and more devious. His activism became almost militant. I was waiting with bated breath to see if he would leave the book.

I did enjoy seeing what a glimpse into what college is like today. When I was in college, there was nothing like the groups that were shown. Or if there was, they stayed well underground and out of the spotlight.

I was relieved when I finished Campusland. I thought that the author tried too hard to form the characters into stereotypes. While there was humor in the book, the humor felt forced. I will say that the ending of Campusland was interesting. But I didn’t think that the ending was appropriate. I can’t get into it but what Lulu and Red ended up going on to do didn’t make me happy.

I would give Campusland an Adult rating. There is sex. There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.

I would not reread Campusland. I would not recommend it to family and friends.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**

I loved Campusland by Scott Johnston. It is a very funny satire which had me shaking my head at some points. The characters are well written and offer a variety of viewpoints.

Devon University is an affluent New England College that brings many walks of life together. Lulu Harris is on the cusp of being the next "It" girl. Ephraim Russell is a first year English professor trying to come to terms with the new political correctness of the world in which we live. Red Wheeler is a professional college student, blinded by his privilege, the literal definition of ironic. A few different events will have all the characters cross paths and influence many.

This book was not for me. I can't really think of a target audience. I feel like those young enough to be in college won't get the attempted satire and political correctness jokes, and those old enough to get those will be too distracted by the college life and won't really care. A few things were funny, but the majority of the story had me rolling my eyes. It took too long to get going and once it did I was too annoyed by every single character to care. This was very close to being a DNF for me, but I always like to give books a chance. It ended up being a slow and painful read for me. None of the (too many) characters were likable, and the plot was messy. There are so many positive reviews, so I am definitely in the minority here, but I was just glad when it ended.

5 full entertaining, I didn't laugh so much for a long time and I had truly great time when I was reading book stars!

This was UNCONVENTIONAL. PROVOCATIVE , FUNNY, SMART BOOK with well-crafted, meticulously developed and vivid characters not only entertains you but also makes you think and force you remember your college days and realize the change of the youth and their way of looking at the world.

My favorite characters are definitely professor Eph and Lulu ,one of the student characters. Their weirdness and awkwardness, own antics, quirky moods attracted my attention so far.

The story is a kind of black comedy carries its own political messages so this book surprised me a lot because i was waiting for reading a soft college comedy ( or some absurd and smart, quirky one reminds me of Animal House) but I got more then I expected which made me completely satisfied.

Thanks to St. Martin's Pres and Netgalley to send me this funny and smart book in exchange my honest review. I really enjoyed it!

According to author Scott Johnston, Campusland is a satire on today's college life. I read given an early copy of Campusland to review. I feel I might be too old and too far away from college life to really enjoy this story.

I can never resist a book about school! This one was a satirical look at college life. Even though it was supposed to be satire, I felt like there were points where they took it too far and it didn't seem like a joke anymore. I feel like some Trump supporter would read and cite it to back up their points without realizing it is supposed to be satire. The main character, Lulu, wasn't fleshed out and didn't seem like a real person. I don't know why Scott thought he could write a female character.

Campusland made me laugh. It gave me pause and cringe as I recognized the truth behind the absurd. Scott Johnson’s satirical debut novel is a quick, smart, and entertaining read with teeth. The characters are predictably hyperbolic, but the situations they create remained with me long after I put down the book. Each character and most of the plotlines held a kernel of truth which was disturbing, eye-opening, and worthy of contemplation, particularly as I prepare to send my children off to college soon.

I admired Johnson’s grip on the English language. He made me realize how out-of-touch I am with the Woke vernacular and introduced me to several rare and beautiful words. Bravo, Mr. Johnson – you are an inspiration for others to fan the flames of their passions and pursue second, third, and fourth careers.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Campusland in exchange for a candid review. And, band for introducing me to Scott Johnson, who is an inspiration for anyone who believes in pursuing their passions.

Oh, wow! What a breath of fresh air! Not since a Mel Brooks movie have we attempted to laugh at ourselves in order to feel better. Scott Johnston must have made a list of all the recent U.S. news that needed to chill, then wrote this book to address every single one of them. As I read, numerous bits of news jumped up in my memory and yes, it’s something that we need to chill and snicker about today. For example, the rich little college gentleman who was on a “hunger strike” (oh, please), the students clicking their fingers because clapping may upset someone (oops, forgot to say “trigger warning”), the image of the young lady screaming to the skies in sheer agonizing pain (I did this when I gave birth ;), the knee-jerk reactions of college campuses to throw money at issues, then they quietly slink away. He even jabs at himself on the cover of his book, social media-style.
I noticed that a minimal few readers were deeply offended by the attempt at humor Mr. Johnston offers here. My advice to you: read this again in five years. Maybe by then, you’ll get it.
Also, after reading the author’s note, I plan to read “Unwanted Advances” by Laura Kipnis. This is one area of the book that Scott makes clear, he’s somewhat joking about the matter but it’s far from funny.
A nice refreshing change whose time is due, from an author who is eloquent and well educated, I only hope others will be as brave as Scott Johnston was and display some past events for what they are.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for making it available.)

I’m usually a fan of satire. But this was tedious and dull. Nothing really happened except a bunch of unlikable characters doing unlikable things. I guess the message here is everyone is too sensitive and it’s all really hard on white men? Because that was my takeaway.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I enjoyed this debut novel about 1 year on the campus of an elite university on the East Coast. The book follows 4 main characters as they navigate the challenges of todays higher education. English lit teacher Eph finds himself in trouble for teaching Huck Finn and the focused attention of a female student. Lulu is obsessed with being the next "it" girl no matter what it takes. Red just wants to stay in school forever so he keeps stirring the pot to keep things interesting. And the university president just wants to protect the schools reputation which is getting harder to do. This is a great satirical look at campus life in the 21st century.

Reading this book made me extremely grateful that I graduated from college in the early 90s - long before social media and all that other nonsense.

The Blurb:

Scott Johnston's Campusland is a laugh-out-loud first novel about one year of insanity at the Ivy-like Devon University, a blissful bubble of elite students 

My Take:

I enjoyed this witty, satirical book! A look at cliques, haves and have nots, fraternities, and most of all the power of Social Media. 

Lulu Harris does not want to be at Devon. She wants to be the next Kim Kardashian and have millions of followers and get paid to party. Lulu's father is an alumnus and is rich. Really rich. Her mother left long ago and Lulu has no contact with her. This girl is sneaky, conniving and opportunistic. In her quest to be the new IT girl, she will leave a wake of ruined lives in her wake.

Eph teaches 19th Century Lit and is hoping for tenure soon. A small town Alabama boy, he is above reproach until Lulu sets her sites on him with her plan to make him look like he assaulted her. Nothing personal, she is simply a media addict. 

And it works for a bit. And then the fringe groups get together for a little show and tell the truth about Lulu and that was laugh out loud funny!
A very timely story that will strike a chord with anyone on social media!

NetGalley/ August 13th, 2019 by St. Martin's Press

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. It was a fun and fast read which reminded me of Tom Wolfe. It is a satirical look at life at elite colleges. The characters are humorous and overall I enjoyed this book a great deal. I will look for more books from this author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thought Campusland was hilarious! As someone who often thinks the PC police have gone too far, reading this satirical view of college life was quite enjoyable.

This novel is so frustrating! It annoys me and it irks me! A few times I considered not finishing it, but I was curious to see where the plot will go. The characters are aggravating! At the same time you have to appreciate how well they are formed so as to stay true to the nature the author created for them.

Campusland presents various aspects of the academic life at a liberal university, but way outside the classroom. It focuses on the social issues that we all see everyday discussed in the news, but (I like to think! Lord help us!) exaggerated. It's a satire, and the tone is oftentimes mocking; Devon has the airs, but lacks the substance. It also has a large number of committees that like acronyms; inevitably you forget their meaning eventually.

It's also meant to come across as funny, and at times it is, but a dry humour. My favourite! It's mostly cringy and frustrating. I appreciate the satirical way in showing how all the social issues associations try to climb at the top to show their group matters the most. Their desire to make a protest out of anything and "fight over who is more offended" leads to unhealthy outcomes. Eph's career and reputation is tarnished because a bunch of drunk, stupid students think it's a good joke to accuse him of being racist because he teaches Huckleberry Finn (!!!), and a fame avid socialite decides to name Eph her sexual assailant just because she needs a name - well all these made me sick. The way characters dealt with even the smallest straw thrown towards their cause, and the way feminists on campus made everything worse through their desire to protect a "saviour" is meant to be a reflection of the way society deals with serious issues. I fear that this way of presenting things can be seen as mocking the real, serious, harming issues happening every day on campuses and not only. It also shows that any war can be started with a photo, comment, like or share on social media.

It's hard to say if I like this novel. I appreciate how it made me care and it drew me in and it made me have opinions and it aggravated me. Argh! I don't think this novel did any good for the real problems in our society, to be honest. I tend to agree that the way things are approached is not always the wisest because there's a lot of noise, but little desire to listen and come to a helpful solution; every party holds its ground and stays mad at the other people. Maybe this novel was a means to draw attention to this very thing. All that to say - if you like campus novels, or like reading novels about the university life, maybe this is for you. I continue to have mixed feelings. As far as the stars rating goes, I'd give it a 2.5*

This is a satirical novel that really hits the social issues nail on the head in the most exaggerated way. Eph is a college professor getting ready for tenure and hiding the fact that he is from a very right winged, rural Alabama while teaching at a university that is very, very leftist. When he becomes the target of a couple different “movements” initiated by some overly forward thinking students, his position for tenure is placed at risk. Meanwhile, student, Lulu is looking to make a name for herself, and Professor Eph seems like the one that just may be able to give her that lift. From environmentalism, to racial discrimination, to genderism, and ageists, this novel really touches on current issues at a eyebrow raising, head shaking new level. Definitely one to pick up to get a good chuckle out of, and put reality into a bit of perspective.

Campusland by Scott Johnston is a scathing satire of modern college life... it touches on many of the topics that are being discussed on university campuses across the nation: gender issues, racial equality, the MeToo movement, safe spaces, tenure, admissions, etc. It's an good debut that pushes the notions of the PC movement to an extreme.

The book takes place a Devon University, a liberal arts school in the Northeast that rivals the Ivies in its prestige. Following the school calendar, Campusland relates one year of the tension and conflict of a academic grind. The plot focuses on two main characters, but a couple more come up frequently throughout. There's Lulu, a "first-year" who is an elitist and only goes to Devon because she thinks it will improve her social media brand. Her main concerns are being seen and wearing the right designers so that she can become the next "It Girl." Eph is an English teacher who is looking to get tenure, yet sees his main focus of literature (19th Century AmLit) being targeted as gender and racially discriminatory. Milton, yes, you can call him by his first name, is the university president. He wants to relate to the students, heck, he had a great rating on Rate-My-Professors.com. But, the position becomes arduous when he finds himself having to try to please too many people and ends up shoveling "it" in all directions.

Social media and campus progressives combine to put an wrench in Eph's plans for tenure. He is filmed and then that video is edited as he awkwardly tries to explain his use of Twain in the curriculum. Lulu's borderline kleptomania hurts her when she is invited to an exclusive magazine shoot of future 'philanthropists.' And Milton must negotiate with the Afro-American Cultural Center when they occupy his office. The plot twists several times while the characters try to see what will get them out of their conflicts...

Here's the thing about this novel, I found some of it to be pretty darn funny and other parts were a bit uncomfortable, only because they were so painful to read.  It's hard at times to see what is straight fiction and where Johnston is pushing the envelope. This is a book that will have mixed reviews and that's natural for a book that tries to take on so much, but the point of a novel like this is that it will start discussion. 

Overall, I found Johnston's observations thought-provoking. He questions what political correctness with blinders and at all costs might do to our society. It's a good campus novel, but I found several of the plot lines to be reminiscent of ones I've read before and there is a try at humor in places where I thought may have been ill-timed.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

After reading all of the very positive reviews, I assumed that this book would have me laughing out loud. Unfortunately, the satire was thin and the humor was absent (perhaps it cut class). I was disappointed.

4*
I know this was meant to be a satire. And laugh out loud funny. But I didn't quite see it that way but enjoyed it just the same.

This book tells the story of an untenured university professor. With side stories of a social climber, a rich entitled activist and a university president. Each of which effect poor Eph. He's a good guy. A well loved professor, at least until stuff starts to happen, thanks to the other characters.

Both the climber, Lulu, and the activist, Red, have their plans that try to take down Eph. And the president doesn't know how to deal with the problems so he throws the university's money at the problem caused by these brats instead of actually solving the problem.

The way I see the book, it shows the unfortunate side of today's society of not wanting to take personal responsibility for for anything. It must be the other guy's fault because it certainly is not mine. The poor professor is at the butt end of the issues. Will he come through it or not? Hopefully.

For anyone who went to college and remembers the insecurity of starting off, meeting new people, getting to your classes on time, etc. , this book will resonate with you! Great characters that pulled you right in - I couldn’t put it down bc I had to see what happened next - great book!