The Stand-In

David Helwig has written an engaging novella about a whimsical, opinionated and slightly embittered professor of humanities, now retired. The professor is asked, at the last minute, to fill in and deliver an important lecture series, replacing a famous friend and colleague who has suddenly died. The professor does agree but his impromptu talks -- both amusing and reflective -- combine memories of Paris, odd corners of art history, and the story of his own life with its links to Denman Tarrington, the deceased celebrity. As his talks continue, the professor's thoughts and ideas find their way into other possible worlds, following all the avenues through a house of mirrors.