A disgraced academic finds himself entangled in a bizarre, potentially dangerous intellectual pursuit. Lawrence Shainberg's novel follows a protagonist whose academic career has been derailed, leading him into a world where intellectual curiosity blurs with obsession. The narrative explores the psychological landscape of a man grappling with his past failures while pursuing a subject that seems to consume him, set against a backdrop that hints at both the mundane and the surreal.

Jonathan Lethem has described "Crust" as one of the most perverse satires written in recent years, indicating a reception that acknowledges its challenging and unconventional nature. The novel is likely to appeal to readers who appreciate experimental literary fiction and dark humor. Its focus on intellectual themes and psychological exploration suggests a readership interested in the more cerebral aspects of literature. The work's perceived perversity points to a reception that might be divided, with some readers embracing its transgressive qualities and others finding it difficult.