Lords of Serendipity, Randy Boyagoda (Review by Stacey Lorenson)

Lords of Serendipity assembles a diverse cast of characters from far and near distinguished by culture, race, sex, class and career. The author combines the plausible and absurd into relatable literary entertainment, while simultaneously parodying university education.

Seventeen-year-old Devi had dreams of leaving her native Sri Lanka to attend a top American university. Devi’s family has saved every spare cent to hire an international tutor to help her attain placement at a top school. Johannes makes his living posing as a student at Stanford, working as a coach, helping students to successfully enter American colleges. The fallout from his deceit leads to global repercussions that affect students, staff and institutional integrity. Katrina, a middle-class American teenager, is set to attend her late mother’s alma mater. Her father, Jack, is a professor at a tech university, teaching multiple classes to pay his daughter’s tuition. To ease Jack’s academic load, Allard is his assigned teaching assistant. Allard has been running a very profitable grade fixing business for international students. His unique personal and professional transgressions play a profound role that eventually intersects the main characters, creating a complex melee of people trying to out-game the system.

Lords of Serendipity provides sharp commentary regarding the higher learning experience for students and parents, minus the usual positive spin on university life. These characters experience disappointing reality checks while the author suggests international students serve as a profitable revenue stream. This story is an emotional journey with memorable characters and creative plot twists that remind readers, regardless of economic or cultural background, all parents want the same opportunities of security and advancement for their children.