Contemplations and notations

I really like David Lodge's campus/Catholic novels, though I've lost track of the newer stuff. I have always rather admired Robyn Penrose's ability to explain literary theory in lay terms, as I am more of a chilling-glare-and-offering-reading-list person at dinner parties. Also, I have the dubious distinction of having been hired, in my first job, as Persse McGarrigle's replacement - P McG was based on a real academic, who died suddenly in his 50s... Small World is my favourite, though I haven't read it in years. I gather there was a UK TV version of Nice Work, but I've never seen it.