Tracy Flick Can't Win

A Novel

Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal, Jack Weede, abruptly announces his retirement, creating a rare opportunity for Tracy to ascend to the top job.

Energized by the prospect of her long-overdue promotion, Tracy throws herself into her work with renewed zeal, determined to prove her worth to the students, faculty, and School Board, while also managing her personal life—a ten-year-old daughter, a needy doctor boyfriend, and a burgeoning meditation practice.

But nothing ever comes easily to Tracy Flick, no matter how diligent or qualified she happens to be. Her male colleagues’ determination to honor Vito Falcone—a star quarterback of dubious character who had a brief, undistinguished career in the NFL—triggers memories for Tracy and leads her to reflect on the trajectory of her own life. As she considers the past, Tracy becomes aware of storm clouds brewing in the present. Is she really a shoo-in for the principal job? Is the Superintendent plotting against her? Why is the School Board President’s wife trying so hard to be her friend? And why can’t she ever get what she deserves?

4 editions

English language

Published July 9, 2022 by Scribner.

ISBN:: 978-1-5011-4406-6
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Reviews

Alex Cabe reviewed Tracy Flick Can't Win by Tom Perrotta

Worthy Followup that Deepens Tracy's Character, but Doesn't Mention Others

4 stars

Content warning Character spoilers

This was a very fun read and a good look at Tracy. I was a bit disappointed that we never heard anything about the live of Mr. M or Tammy. It lacked a central plot that was as clear as election, but the character work was strong. You could tell that the writer was older and he understood the characters' middle-aged anxieties well.

Will have to think about this for a while, but was Tracy supposed to be gay? She never shows any signs of same-sex attraction, but neither does she seem excited or passionate about any of her relationships with men, either. Is she oblivious about Marissa throwing herself at her, or not being honest with herself and/or the reader?