Let there be no mention of the “c” word today, but here’s a prediction of mine: with school now in session, desperate parents have developed a new appreciation for teachers and all they do. And further: Those parents who are now working from home – without the hassle of traffic and pants – will enjoy their teleworking even more! And speaking of school, it’s time to look for stories concerning teachers and students.
The first novel that comes to mind (and it’s very short, more of a novella) is “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” by Scottish writer Muriel Spark. It’s a portrait of a young, unorthodox teacher in a very conservative private girls’ school in the 1930’s, and the almost supernatural power she wields on her students. Miss Brodie does not teach the traditional subjects; rather she speaks to her class about life as experienced through one in the prime of her life. For teenage girls this proves to be dangerous, and Miss Brodie realizes that the school’s establishment is conspiring to remove her. I find this book to be interesting, but not engaging; there is too much of the plot line given away before it happens, and I prefer to find things out as they occur naturally. But Spark’s writing is top notch.
Two of my favorite stories by Jon Hassler are “Rookery Blues” and “The Dean’s List.” These take place on the campus of Rookery State College, a tiny midwestern backwater. “Rookery” deals with one academic year in the late 1960’s, and it’s touched by the political climate of that period, particularly the Vietnam War and the women’s rights movement. “Dean’s List” jumps to the 1990’s with many of the same characters. You can feel Hassler’s affection for all his characters, even the petty and eccentric. If you like music you will prefer the first, and if you like poetry you’ll prefer the second.
The term “midlife crisis” comes up a lot in discussions of “Straight Man” by Richard Russo. It’s an amusing view of campus politics and the absurdities of life through the eyes of an English professor. Anti-hero Hank Deveraux, middle aged and stuck in a small-town college with several other misfits, keeps his wife constantly worried that he’s going to end it either in the hospital or in jail. The plot is too intricate to explain here, but suffice it to say that the humor is smart, ironic, and sometimes irreverent. Russo displays affection for Hank, his family, and his academic contemporaries. I’ve read “Straight Man” three times, and each time I’ve come away with something different.
You may know author Elizabeth George for her series featuring upper-crust Inspector Thomas Lynley. “Well-Schooled in Murder” follows the case of a murdered student at an exclusive boy’s school. Lynley is drawn into the case not because it’s in his jurisdiction but because one of the school’s officials is a former schoolmate. Suspects abound, as does conflicting evidence involving bullying, racism, class differences, and jealousy. This book pulls no punches with its descriptions of brutality and human indecency. If you enjoy its twisty plot, there are many others in this hefty series.
Some of our most vivid memories come from the days we spent in school. In many ways our education has made us who we are today. Maybe one of our teachers recognized and encouraged a particular interest or just taught us to enjoy reading. Thank you, teachers, for all that you do. You leave your mark on eternity. Happy reading!
