Teacher Man
Okay. I finished this book about a month ago, and it still sticks in my head.
For those of you who don't know, Teacher Man is by Frank McCourt who is famous for his first novle, Angela's Ashes. He takes the same wit and humor and translates it into the trials and tribulations of being a public school teacher in New York. From the politics of academia to inspiring kids, this novel is filled with funny stories.
One that sticks out in my mind still is when he gets an excuse note from a student that is obviously forged, sticks in a drawer and then reads through all the excuse notes he has gotten while the students take a test. He reflects that "isn't it remarkable how they resist any kind of writing assignment in class or at home. They whine and say they're busy and it's hard putting tow hundred words together on any subject. But when they forge these excuse notes they're brilliant. Why? I have a drawer full of excuse notes that could be turned into an anthology of Great American Excuses or Great American Lies" (85). He proceeds with examples that are just absolutely hilarious.
There are the interactions with students, the dreaded first day, the rebel, the quiet girl. There is a familiarity with these characters, whether you take experience from the teacher or the student side, which makes the novel all the more warm and entertaining.
Now if only my movie choices the past month could be as good as my book choices. Next book to get in here will be My War: Killing Time in Iraq. A very entertaining read about the "war on terror," proof that even the military can't always keep a lid on technology and that viral marketing works across oceans.
Teacher Man Rating: G$_G$_G$_G$
For those of you who don't know, Teacher Man is by Frank McCourt who is famous for his first novle, Angela's Ashes. He takes the same wit and humor and translates it into the trials and tribulations of being a public school teacher in New York. From the politics of academia to inspiring kids, this novel is filled with funny stories.
One that sticks out in my mind still is when he gets an excuse note from a student that is obviously forged, sticks in a drawer and then reads through all the excuse notes he has gotten while the students take a test. He reflects that "isn't it remarkable how they resist any kind of writing assignment in class or at home. They whine and say they're busy and it's hard putting tow hundred words together on any subject. But when they forge these excuse notes they're brilliant. Why? I have a drawer full of excuse notes that could be turned into an anthology of Great American Excuses or Great American Lies" (85). He proceeds with examples that are just absolutely hilarious.
There are the interactions with students, the dreaded first day, the rebel, the quiet girl. There is a familiarity with these characters, whether you take experience from the teacher or the student side, which makes the novel all the more warm and entertaining.
Now if only my movie choices the past month could be as good as my book choices. Next book to get in here will be My War: Killing Time in Iraq. A very entertaining read about the "war on terror," proof that even the military can't always keep a lid on technology and that viral marketing works across oceans.
Teacher Man Rating: G$_G$_G$_G$
posted by Gwynne at
10:48 PM
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