Quaint Deeds: Unlikely Adventures in Teaching and Treasure-hunting: A Memoir

by A.J. Mackinnon

From the bestselling author of The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow, a hilarious and heart-warming memoir of teaching, treasure hunts and finding your own way in life.

A.J. 'Sandy' Mackinnon is best known to readers as a much-loved travel writer. But between eccentric voyages, he has for almost forty years taught at schools in Australia and the UK. In Quaint Deeds he brings his trademark wit and warmth to the classroom, recalling the ups, downs and unexpected detours of a teaching life. Along the way, he shares the lessons his students have taught him, often in the most unlikely moments -- whether playing pranks, experimenting with home-made fireworks, or searching for buried treasure in the English countryside.
Uproarious and insightful in equal measure, Quaint Deeds is an irresistible ode to the magic and mystery of youth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Teaching, Humor

335 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

A.J. Mackinnon is the author of The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow and The Well at the World's End. He was born in Australia in 1963 and he spent his childhood between England and Australia, traveling as a small boy with his family on the last P&O liners to sail between the two countries.

His interests include painting, philosophy, writing, conjuring and home-made fireworks. He is currently a teacher at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb memoir from Sandy Mackinnon. He captures the joys of teaching well, although I have to laugh at the total disregard for safety that is prevalent in so many of his stories. I am in awe of his energy and ideas and his knowledge of literature, as well as of the relationships that he has cultivated with his students. I love his belief in magic and openness to beauty. After reading his other books, I had already added him to my list of people I would like to meet, although I suspect that if he were a more permanent part of my life, he would be absolutely exhausting.

[Lisa Anybookanytime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read memoir that deserves *all* the stars.

Our author recalls his time at England's Ellesmere College. He relates tales of his students' exploits and his own adventures in teaching English, designing treasure hunts and exploring the countryside.

This book! Let me try to explain just how wonderful, funny, joyous and touching this book is. 

Think a memoir with the essence of Dead Poets Society, the warmth of James Herriot, the slapstick of Inspector Clousseau and the wit of Douglas Adams, with a knack for storytelling akin to one of my personal faves, cricket commentator David "Bumble" Lloyd.

I laughed so hard I couldn't speak! I teared up at some of the sweet stories, and gasped out loud at activities you would *never* see at a school now. 

But most of all I marvelled at the insight and sensitivity that the author showed as a teacher, and his efforts to connect with his students.

He admits that his recollections are influenced by a "rosy tinted memory" and also that everything may not have happened *exactly* as written. But I don't care and neither should you.

Read it for the treasure hunts. Read it for the stories about the car, the maggots, the fire breathing and the soap bubbles. And definitely the tale about the fairies and the scarf!

So—just in case I haven't been clear—I loved this, and heartily recommend it!

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mackinnon writes about his time teaching at a boarding school in England. This feel-good collection of anecdotes is for people who believe in the magic of children, teaching, and heather-covered hills... for people who like happenstances, serendipity and whimsy... for literature and drama teachers... and those who think that life is sometimes a dream from Shakespere's Puck.
These stories are, in a word, quaint.

I was completely horrified at the story of burning that wood collection! I don't think Mackinnon gave it nearly as much sorrow as it deserved. You have no idea what you did!! This is like using Faberge to make an omelette. And, I don't want to be sexist, but if a woman had been with that group, they would have questioned why that wood shed was locked and clearly not the one described that they had permission to use.

[Norrie Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir of A.J. “Sandy” McKinnon’s school teaching years in Australia and England, in the 1980s and 90s. From the subtitle and the cover, it is apparent that the memoir is more whimsical than macho, with topics and activities that all speak of a zest for life. A.J. is gently subversive and likes to lead his boarding-school pupils along paths less trodden. Think Dead Poets Society with a smattering of Decline and Fall.
Self-effacing and generous, A.J.MacKinnon comes across as a fine role model, especially for other teachers. Readers of this book will find plenty to amuse and perhaps will see a little more good in everyone.
See the full review at: https://www.queenslandreviewerscollec...

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was unfortunate that before reading this I had just read Gabbie Stroud’s "the thing that matter most" book on teachers’ experiences. Whereas Stroud took teaching very seriously, and examined deep problems that teachers face, Mackinnon taught mostly in privileged private schools where he had many a jolly jape with his eccentric students and colleagues, so that he comes across as shallow, facetious and at times cynical. He writes well, if you like that sort of thing, and some of his adventures both first and second hand are interesting and funny, but over 300 pp. of such quaint deeds gets boring. I didn’t finish the book.

[Kay Parsons · Rating 1 out of 5]

I agree with the 2-star review by John. I'm not sure why I decided to read this book, as I had read another of Mackinnonn's books, The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow, which had looked promising but was irritating in the extreme. This book is also irritating, and I did not finish it.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsy, humour, kindness, mischief & and inspiration are to be found in these pages- thanks AJ for a fantastic read!

[Ian Tymms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining. I enjoyed the earlier "Voyage of Jack de Crow" a little more, but this was excellent holiday reading.

[Heather Craven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky book took a bit of time to get into but worth persevering with.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this Author.
I really liked this book it was funny, serious, and interesting reading what it was like for a teacher starting their teaching career.
The description of the characters and the scenery you felt like you were there.
I would recommend this book.
I am now reading the sequel book The Unlikely voyage of Jack De Crow.

[ABel Bainger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting memoir that had me chuckling constantly. Beautifully written.