I think I was the first Stacker to write a full review of this book. I'm glad to see it getting plenty of attention. The earnestness didn't bother me; not every story needs to be shot through with irony, you don't always need Wayne and Garth to spice things up.
I finished reading this book a couple of nights ago and loved it. I'm glad I'd already finished it before reading this review because the review more or less spoils the whole novel with an extensive flat retelling. Look, I like satire, irony, and pop cultural high school snark as much as the next guy, but there is room for 'earnest novels' as the reviewer terms this one. Maybe I too am afflicted with 'guileless sincerity' but I related to the plight of the protagonist.
I too am glad I read the book before I read this review. I suppose I should applaud the reviewer for attempting to tamp down his own cynicism, but I you'll have to give me a minute...
I agree with your comment wholeheartedly: it was refreshing to read something kind of small(er) and sincere. The low stakes premise was interesting. Different. And it got me to the end of the book.
I have not read "Why Teach?" yet but it does seem like this review gives a lot of information regarding the heart of the book. I am currently reading "Stoner" by John Williams (which is amazing!) and reading this review made me think of a part I just read. Stoner is reminding Finch of what their dead friend Dave said in the past during their student years at the University when they are presently discussing passing a student due to political pressure:
"The three of us were together, and he said- something about the University being an asylum, a refuge from the world, for the dispossessed, and the crippled. But he didn't mean Walker. Dave would have thought of Walker as- as the world. And we can't let him in. For if we do, we become like the world, just as unreal, just as..... The only hope we have is to keep him out."
I guess the problem with all of this is figuring out what the "world" is and what is real and unreal.
I think I was the first Stacker to write a full review of this book. I'm glad to see it getting plenty of attention. The earnestness didn't bother me; not every story needs to be shot through with irony, you don't always need Wayne and Garth to spice things up.
I finished reading this book a couple of nights ago and loved it. I'm glad I'd already finished it before reading this review because the review more or less spoils the whole novel with an extensive flat retelling. Look, I like satire, irony, and pop cultural high school snark as much as the next guy, but there is room for 'earnest novels' as the reviewer terms this one. Maybe I too am afflicted with 'guileless sincerity' but I related to the plight of the protagonist.
I too am glad I read the book before I read this review. I suppose I should applaud the reviewer for attempting to tamp down his own cynicism, but I you'll have to give me a minute...
I agree with your comment wholeheartedly: it was refreshing to read something kind of small(er) and sincere. The low stakes premise was interesting. Different. And it got me to the end of the book.
I have not read "Why Teach?" yet but it does seem like this review gives a lot of information regarding the heart of the book. I am currently reading "Stoner" by John Williams (which is amazing!) and reading this review made me think of a part I just read. Stoner is reminding Finch of what their dead friend Dave said in the past during their student years at the University when they are presently discussing passing a student due to political pressure:
"The three of us were together, and he said- something about the University being an asylum, a refuge from the world, for the dispossessed, and the crippled. But he didn't mean Walker. Dave would have thought of Walker as- as the world. And we can't let him in. For if we do, we become like the world, just as unreal, just as..... The only hope we have is to keep him out."
I guess the problem with all of this is figuring out what the "world" is and what is real and unreal.