The Institute is a novel by James M. Cain published in 1976 by Mason-Charter. The Institute is a story of academia and high finance set in the community of College Park, Maryland concerning members of the Washington, D. C. political establishment.
Cain completed a manuscript for The Institute in 1972. Alfred A. Knopf, CainâÂÂs former publisher, rejected the work. wrote, âÂÂI canâÂÂt persuade myself that we should publish this and IâÂÂm terribly afraid no one else will either. Jim, alas has lived too long and canâÂÂt adapt his considerable gifts to todayâÂÂs modes.â When informed that his dialogue was dated, Cain remarked, âÂÂI have to write as I write, and I canâÂÂt young it up.âÂÂ
After multiple rejections for The Institute, Cain turned to writing RainbowâÂÂs End. Mason-Charter publishers ultimately agreed to publish both novels. The Institute was the penultimate novel to appear during CainâÂÂs lifetime; The Institute convinced reviewers that CainâÂÂs talent for writing was virtually extinguished. John D. MacDonald writing for The Sunday Times Magazine concluded that The Institute was âÂÂa faint and embarrassing echoâ of CainâÂÂs former literary talents.