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On the one hand: very entertaining, breezy, fast-paced, witty, engrossing. On the other hand: almost self-parodically stereotypical "comedic lit-fic" plot about a creative writing professor with writer's block having a midlife crisis and getting involved with a younger woman. Seems like it wants to "tackle" culture-war topics about "political correctness," university responses to sexual harassment on campus, etc., but doesn't take any real stands one way or the other, and this element ends up feeling like empty provocation for provocation's sake -- a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Main character makes stupid mistakes and is punished for them very harshly; the latter sections of the book are full of a plaintive sense that the world should be more forgiving, but it was hard for me to feel much pity for a middle-aged, married adult with a daughter in college who makes such adolescent-level blunders. Ultimately I didn't really care about any of it, although it sure was a fun way to pass the time. Writing throughout is competent but never, ever really good.

Sometimes when I hang out with science fiction fans I hear complaints about how "literary fiction" is a category full of unambitious, complacent "books about middle-aged English professors having affairs." This may or may not be a fair characterization as a whole, but this is exactly the sort of book they're talking about. Maybe it would have been better with a spaceship or two.