Hume’s Fork

by Ron Cooper

"Barely adequate philosophy professor Legare Hume has a mind-body problem. No matter how far he goes, no matter how hard he thinks, he can't escape the world he lives in. On the run from his wife Tally, Legare joins brilliant but exceptionally awkward colleague Saul Grossman to attend the American Philosophical Association’s Charleston, South Carolina conference, where worlds and walks of life collide in a strange and satirical amalgamation that can only be described as reality.Legare’s mission is simple put up with the conference, read a paper he never thought anyone would want to hear, receive the tenure he isn't sure he wants, and return, or not, to the wife who nearly killed him before he left. But his plans are hijacked by a botched hotel reservation and the all-too-convenient presence of the Southern family Legare has worked very hard all his adult life to avoid.Hume’s Fork is a brilliantly satirical and philosophical novel, every bit as funny as it is intelligent―a true original. Legare’s conflict―Hume’s fork, if you will― becomes the reader’s, for all worlds are one, and nothing can truly be separate from everything else."

Genres: Fiction

259 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Ron Cooper's novel, Hume's Fork, was called by author Ron Rash "one of the funniest novels I've read in a long time" and described by Rebecca Goldstein as a "mix of zaniness and erudition, satire and insight." His new novel, Purple Jesus, will appear in September 2010. He is a South Carolina native who moved to Florida in 1988 and teaches at the College of Central Florida. Cooper has a BA from the College of Charleston, an MA from the University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University. He is also the author of a number of philosophical works, including Heidegger and Whitehead: A Phenomenological Examination into the Intelligibility of Experience."

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't that Hume's Fork wasn't a well written work. It was. I was compelled to finish reading the novel to see what happened and thoroughly enjoyed the story line.

The problem, however, was that I felt like i was missing out on the overall meaning of the text. As if there was some giant philosophical private joke that I just didn't understand having never taken more then the required 1 semester of Philosophy in college.

Had I known more about philosophy I think I would have enjoyed this book much more. But that is the fault of me as the reader.

[M.J. Sewall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant novel that should not work. Two philosophy professors going to a convention in the deep south. What should be boring, or at least pretentious, is instead a hilarious, delightfully well written novel that makes you want to read every work the author has ever written. It should be on everybody’s top ten lists of great novels. I cannot gush enough about what the writer has achieved.

[Garrison Somers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rare is the story that makes you think, laugh, and hopeful for humanity all at the same time. Indulge yourself.

[Kathy (Bermudaonion) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legare “Greazy” Hume and Saul Grossman are philosophy professors at Amworld University in St. Petersburg, FL. Amworld University is owned by Amworld Enterprises, which is known for it’s theme park in Orlando, so it’s needless to say that it’s not a well respected school. They’re heading to Charleston, SC for the American Philosophical Association conference. Saul is excited because he’s anxious to experience the South. Greazy, a native of Charleston, has explained to him repeatedly that “St. Pete and much of Florida, for that matter, were not the South.”

Since Greazy is trying to distance himself from his family, he doesn’t plan to visit them while they’re in Charleston, but when there’s a mix-up in their hotel reservations (there’s also a big professional wrestling tournament in town), he and Saul are forced to stay with them. Much to Greazy’s surprise, Saul, an Orthodox Jew from New York, hits it off with Greazy’s Southern, redneck family.

Between the Philosopher’s convention, professional wrestling, and Greazy’s family, there’s a lot going on!

Since Hume’s Fork is written about a philosophy professor by Ron Cooper, who is a professor of philosophy, each chapter starts with some philosophical musings. Even the title is a philosophical reference – David Hume was an 18th century philosopher who made a distinction between two types of knowledge and that distinction has become known as Hume’s Fork. Frankly, most of the philosophical references were over my head. Those parts dragged for me, but once I got past them in each chapter, I thought the book was lots of fun – it was filled with a buddy road trip, an eccentric Southern family, professional wrestling, a great location and even some suspense. Both Greazy and Saul were great characters and Ron Cooper got the South Carolina lowcountry accent perfect.

[Beli_grrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give this one 3.5 stars. It's not quite a 4 star book, but I love what it tries to do. The reason it doesn't get to 4 or 5 stars is because the plot isn't tight enough. The characters who are crucial to bringing about the big climax should have been introduced earlier and with more detailed characterization. Also he should have given a little more details on his troulbed marriage. One last negative: some of the humor is forced. Some of it works brilliantly, however, and in general, I enjoyed this light-hearted comedy with a philosophical bent. Its tale of going home for a visit to a, eh hem, not so intellectually inclined family really resonated with me as I read it on the plane coming home from a visit to my people. I liked his authorial voice and I hope to see another novel from him soon.

[Gary Garth McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read Cooper's second novel, Purple Jesus, a tragicomic masterpiece. While I enjoyed Hume's Fork--in which humor ensues when a philosopher at an academic meeting befriends professional wrestlers--for me Hume's Fork doesn't approach Purple Jesus. I suggest you read Purple Jesus first. In case you read only one Cooper novel, let it be Purple Jesus.

[Jeffrey McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

(read 2/14/2011) A delightfully, humorous family comedy involving philosophy, religion and professional wrestling. Ron Cooper is an excellent writer.