Matt Ruff's Fool on the Hill is a magical realist novel set at Cornell University where a writer, a dog, and a cast of eccentric characters become entangled in a battle between good and evil. Through whimsical storytelling and inventive world-building, Ruff creates a campus novel that's also a fairy tale, proving that magic can exist in the most ordinary places. The book becomes both entertaining adventure and meditation on storytelling, free will, and the power of imagination.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Ruff understands that the best fantasy doesn't require distant kingdoms, it just requires seeing the magic in everyday places. This novel reminds us that college campuses are already strange enough to contain entire mythologies, and that the best stories blur the line between reality and imagination.

DETAILS: • Author: Matt Ruff • Publisher: Grove Press • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: December 8, 1997 • ISBN: 9780802135353 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days