I think what Pfeifer is doing here is much more than lampooning the college experience. Sure, it can be competitive in some respects, especially for the top tier of those dedicated to academics. But I think what the writer has done here is allow the American kill-or-be-killed mentality in the capitalist workplace, the political realm and even the military industrial complex to infect the quad, to devour the dorms and corrupt the seminars. Obviously, he offers a strong criticism of that competitive attitude, as the approach consumes and destroys all of the brilliant young minds that serve as the central cast of characters. Read Full Review