David Lodge's Small World is an amusing, entertaining look at the world of academia, particularly the world of English literature, and all of the ridiculous people who inhabit it. I truly enjoy Lodge's work, but I have to say, this isn't my favorite. It's still terrific, but, in my opinion, not his strongest work. It starts off a little slow and many of the characters, while funny, are a bit predictable. I also think this novel didn't really stand the test of time. That being said, it is a funny and engaging read, certain to make you chuckle and even laugh out loud. It's just not Lodge's best work, but Lodge on a bad day is still infinitely better than most other writers on a good day.