Berwick Balfour

A Sense of Direction Berwick Balfour

Richard Wilson starts a new job at the University if Athelsburgh in Scotland. He works in a department of Scientific Logic headed by a Professor Jonathan Whittington. Whittington presents a dilemma for Richard. He is extremely successful and convincing. But is he a 'fraud'? Ludicrous proposals get Scientific Logic, Whittington and, indirectly, Richard into trouble/embarrassment. There are also a number of eccentrics in the department. Among others there are Hamish McLean, a very Scottish and cultured alcoholic who despises Whittington, Sheena Partridge who knows little about the subject but (unknown for some time) also runs a 'massage parlour' in Edinburgh, Barrie Foster, a 'raw 'Australian, Dick Pratt (who Whittington says "is useful to sweep the floor"), Jimmy Whitburn a research student who is mad and a number of other 'dull' academics and research students Also associated with the department is Warren Gutter, a rough Psychologist who hates Whittington and Councillor Olhamstocks, a left wing socialist who, at first claims Scientific Logic is 'a Capitalist Tool' but later changes his mind and becomes a supporter. The department goes though many episodes. Some of the problems hit the press (Scientific Logic gets called 'Sexual Logic' in one). It is the time of Harold Wilson's first government (HW is a friend of Whittington and Whittington gets him to talk at a conference on Scientific Logic). In a byelection in Athelsburgh Whittington becomes the surprise Labour candidate and is elected to Parliament. From there he mounts a criticism of academia, based on his self-created experiences in Athelsburgh, to the annoyance of former colleagues. Also featured is a degree ceremony in which a pop singer and local television 'celebrity' (both of whom have no academic interests) are given honorary doctorates. Also featured are the Principal, Vice Principal and Dean from the University, together with the Equal Opportunities Officer, all of whom create problems for Richard and for Whittington. This is a novel to keep you laughing as each chapter opens up unexpected developments.