The professor's umbrella

WHAT IS THIS BOOK ABOUT??? WHAT GENRE IS IT? PLEASE ANSWER!!

Fiction, set in American Midwest, lecturer (has Ph.D. but not tenure-track) of English literature in large university. Students like him, his teaching values are worthy. Well-crafted story, full of surprises and lovely use of the language. Partly about administration vs. faculty, but you'll be surprised by the twists. Don't want to say more - would spoil the story. Highly recommended.