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| Big School Home | Read a Chapter | Readers' Reviews | BUY BIG SCHOOL | Geedon Bruce chats with the author |
FROM BOOKCROSSING.COM
It was fresh and modern. The main character was infuriating at times but that is what makes the book good. It is like a friend where you like him and he is endearing but you can't help feel frustrated and think he is 'silly'. It is funny and is imaginative but it has elements of truth and insightful look at the schools and the politics within them. I would recommend reading it as it is a good chill out read.
book rating: 8/10
Early hard-nosed fiction readers' reactions:
“Superb…a stormer …To read a book which actually describes and explains things that are so close to your own experience is rare - and this one does that.”
“It's really vivid, pacy, funny and hugely entertaining. I was totally hooked; it's an EXCELLENT read.”
“Big School is driven by an extremely well-paced and genuinely compelling plot that manages to create unexpected twists in a natural way. It's filled with sensitively drawn characters with whom you feel familiarity and empathy. The style mixes incisive observations and witty speculations with a deft lightness of touch and sensitivity towards the characters that makes engaging, indeed page turning reading.”
“An energy and enthusiasm that zips off the page.”
“It's impossible not to engage emotionally with this book and very difficult to stop reading. The characterization and plot give it a powerful momentum and will produce a shock of recognition in anybody who's been within 3 miles of a school.”
“I would definitely recommend this on the grounds that it's exciting, well-written and realistic. Thomas could give Ben Elton a run for his money.”
“In many ways this is a coruscatingly brilliant book because the subject matter, the themes, are dealt with brilliantly with a great mixture of humour and seriousness. The portrait of Susan is some of the best writing I've come across in years.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed Big School . It is a relief to read a novel about teaching that does not peddle tired TV-style impressions of teachers and teaching and that actually does something to bring a bit of life to the profession and does something to de-mythologise the whole thing. Many lively characters here - especially Sefton Demmler - who I thought was an excellent creation - Tim and Jezebel. A very lively and energetic read, though and one that I would certainly recommend to others.”
“Thomas has a great knack for bringing the characters to life with some fine and very funny observations.”
“Thomas is a real talent…a great story…really tense.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the style easy to read and I was gripped throughout - I nearly missed my stop when coming to work one morning, when Tim got drunk in Leeds !”
“Fantastic characters…full of dramatic tension.”
“I love its philosophy - every teacher in the country will agree with the author and should buy a copy of the book…I actually nearly cried at Sef's summary at the end.”
“The story is very satisfying - the banter is brilliant - love the staffroom repartee, wish we had more of it here. I love its wit, too: I nearly fell off the sofa laughing.”