Last Lesson of the Afternoon

by Christopher Rush

Book by Rush, Christopher

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 1994

About the author

Christopher Rush is a Scottish writer, for thirty years a teacher of literature in Edinburgh. His books include A Twelvemonth and a Day (1985) (chosen by The List magazine in 2005 as one of the 100 best Scottish books of all time) and the highly acclaimed To Travel Hopefully (2005).

Reviews

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was first brought to my attention by a friend in the book club who mentioned the author used to be a teacher at my school. She said it was a little vulgar and didn't know what to make of it but I thought it might be worth a go (couldn't be worse than Chuck Palanhuik right?). In any case, I am really pleased I took the time to read this in spite of my initial misgivings what with all the wanking and the (over)use of the "c" word. I really get Rush's point about the educational system, even if I am reading this 15 years after he first wrote his satire. He would be appalled at the state of the system now as it is further entrenched and any traditional types have been phased out by now.
I felt strangely ill at ease the more I read and began to question my role in all of this and whether or not I have become a wanker myself in being promoted within the institution. Am I a "yes(wo)man"? Am I just enabling the whole system I myself despise? Something to mull over. I do just hope all teacher training colleges received a copy and read what he had to say about them because he hit the nail on the head with that one. What a waste of a year of my life. Now to figuring out what the hell I can do before I become unhappy....!