"Teacher Man" (book review)

...by Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes and 'Tis.

McCourt recounts his years as a teacher in NYC secondary schools, mostly "vocational high schools" (technical/trades based) but finishing with Stuyvesant High, an upmarket secondary for students destined for Harvard, Yale, MIT, etc. (that's MIT in the USA, NOT Manukau, Junior!)...
Having come from the pages of a densely written and very grim sci-fi novel by Ballard (see review of "The Drought"), I was struck by the total contrast of tone, style and message found in Teacher Man.
The book is a memoir - a string of (in places hugely) entertaining episodes from the classrooms of New York.

I have a literary colleague at O.C. (yes, Junior, that's Otahuhu College, not Orange County) who hated this book - in further discussion it appeared that perhaps one of the reasons could be too close an identification with McCourt's adventures...
For me, the identification was similarly close - but I loved it for that!
Particularly the struggle, in the early years of his vocation, to make sense of the whole thing and feel in any way purposeful.
Also the incidents/conversations recounted, often with a wistful, gentle and humorous touch.
The lesson on recipes that becomes a performing arts extravaganza!
The sandwich dropped on the floor in conflict which the teacher picks up and...eats!
The collective animal which is a class full of 35 adolescents!
Picking on a "smart guy" student only to find later that he is ion the midst of unbelievable personal turmoil.
And the ONE student who suddenly, unexpectedly makes one's travails worthwhile!

If you're a teacher out there, read this book - you may be inspired, and at least vindicated.

Highly recommended.

G.

If you aren't a teacher, read this book - it won't make you want to change your profession, but it will give you an entertaining and enjoyable read at the expense of McCourt's experiences.