The Monthly SS Book Club: First Edition

[Damokles]

I have been informed that a member left School Survival during my absence. His username was Vatman, and this man of vats was possibly one of the most valued members of our community. With his departure he has left a literary void in this forum, and I intend to fill that void. So, here we go.

This month in the Book Club, we'll be studying Educating Rita, by Willy Russell. I know, "Educating Rita is a play", you cry. But fear not, it is more than functional to be studied as literature, as Shakespeare is, and a perfect choice for our very first book.

You have a month to read this book, after which discussion shall begin in a separate thread. Discussion of the book is more than welcome during the month, but to allow members to take their time reading the book, structured discussion is preferred to take place in the days following the posting of the discussion thread.

I am also going to start yet another thread after I post this thread, to allow users to suggest books to discuss next month. After a fortnight I will post a poll to decide which book is going to be discussed.

Our First Book

Educating Rita is the story of a working class woman attempting to learn about literature through open universities, and her relationship with her cynical tutor. Topics to be considered throughout your reading:

• Feminism
• Desire to learn
• Elitism
• Education
• Duality
• Belonging
• Choice
• Cynicism
• Characterisation
• Setting
• Use of language
• Humour
• Symbolism (costume, the door, the window, haircuts, names, whisky)
• Class
• Authorial intent
  

This is a rather extensive list, I do not expect nor want any individual member to obsessively focus on all of these points, but they are points to be considered during reading to enhance your understanding.

You all have one month to buy or rent this book and read it. Alternatively you could contact me for... *cough*... "Resources", or search for "resources" online.

[Pieman]

/enroll

I'm really looking forward to this.

[brainiac3397]

I can find my own *cough* "resources" *wink*.

I was going to ask permission to impale myself upon a very sharp and very splintered pike, but even then I would most likely not die fast enough to avoid reading.

Be back in, oh a month and 1 day.

[Thought Criminal]

This could prove interesting. Sign me up! I don't know if I will finish it, fall semester starts next week so I'm gonna be loaded down with college and work till December. I'll give it a shot though.

[Damokles]

It's a fairly short book TC, you could probably get through a reading in less than two hours.

[Pieman]

For those who enjoy audiobooks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQdpxYfQu2U

[Pieman]

Aaand, finished Educating Rita. I really loved it. Found it immensely interesting, especially as an English major. My only complaint about it is that I wish it was longer, although at the same time, I feel like referring to that timeless advice: "The best time to end something, is when you never want it to." And believe me, this novel followed that to the dot. Really excellent first pick for our little club.