Review: Very grim...lacking in depth...
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 03 30, 2014
I just couldn't get myself to really like this book. So much just didn't resonate with me. Perhaps this was due to the fact that I was a teacher, and the teacher depicted here was not one I could easily respect or like. Even the opening failed to engage me, although I plowed through to the end. Here is a teacher who doesn't bother to learn the names of his students, doesn't decorate his classroom, and is rude, or perhaps less than tactful to parents. Even before 9/11 and all the trauma involved this man comes across as someone who really just wanted to coach or teach PE, and the rest of his duties were something to be tolerated and done with as little effort as possible. He also was guilty of behaviors which could have gotten him into serious trouble and which almost every professional would steer clear from doing - being alone in a classroom with a student and being overly friendly with a student encouraging her to email him (although he didn't answer). At the same time, he seemed aloof and uncaring, although obviously he sympathized with his students' circumstances. The other thing that struck me was the writing. I didn't really feel engaged enough to care about the terrible tragedy hinted at and finally explained. I am not sure what exactly was missing, perhaps inadequate character development?  I just knew I didn't care. I kept hoping for some redemption, some spark, but nothing really ignited for me.