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The Schoolmaster
Earl Lovelace's Trinidadian novel tells the story of an isolated rural community coming into contact with the wider world. The villagers learn, only too cruelly, that progress can mean the destruction of cherished values.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
13 people are currently reading
428 people want to read
About the author
Earl Lovelace
19 books94 followersNovelist, playwright and short-story writer Earl Lovelace was born in Toco, Trinidad in 1935 and grew up in Tobago. He worked for the Trinidad Guardian, then for the Department of Forestry and later as an agricultural assistant for the Department of Agriculture, gaining an intimate knowledge of rural Trinidad that has informed much of his fiction.
He studied in the United States at Howard University, Washington (1966-7) and received his MA in English from Johns Hopkins University in 1974. In 1980 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and spent that year at the University of Iowa. After teaching at a number of other American universities, Lovelace returned to Trinidad in 1982, where he now lives and writes, teaching at the University of the West Indies. A collection of his plays, Jestina's Calypso and Other Plays, was published in 1984.
His first novel, While Gods Are Falling, was published in 1965 and won the British Petroleum Independence Literary Award. It was followed by The Schoolmaster (1968), about the impact of the arrival of a new teacher in a remote community. His third novel, The Dragon Can't Dance (1979), regarded by many critics as his best work, describes the rejuvenating effects of carnival on the inhabitants of a slum on the outskirts of Port of Spain. In The Wine of Astonishment (1982) he examines popular religion through the story of a member of the Baptist Church in a rural village. His most recent novel, Salt, was published in 1996 and won the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall Winner, Best Book) in 1997. Set in Trinidad, the book explores the legacy of colonialism and slavery and the problems still faced by the country through the story of Alford George, a teacher turned politician.
He studied in the United States at Howard University, Washington (1966-7) and received his MA in English from Johns Hopkins University in 1974. In 1980 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and spent that year at the University of Iowa. After teaching at a number of other American universities, Lovelace returned to Trinidad in 1982, where he now lives and writes, teaching at the University of the West Indies. A collection of his plays, Jestina's Calypso and Other Plays, was published in 1984.
His first novel, While Gods Are Falling, was published in 1965 and won the British Petroleum Independence Literary Award. It was followed by The Schoolmaster (1968), about the impact of the arrival of a new teacher in a remote community. His third novel, The Dragon Can't Dance (1979), regarded by many critics as his best work, describes the rejuvenating effects of carnival on the inhabitants of a slum on the outskirts of Port of Spain. In The Wine of Astonishment (1982) he examines popular religion through the story of a member of the Baptist Church in a rural village. His most recent novel, Salt, was published in 1996 and won the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Overall Winner, Best Book) in 1997. Set in Trinidad, the book explores the legacy of colonialism and slavery and the problems still faced by the country through the story of Alford George, a teacher turned politician.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 17, 2025
Faber and Faber seem in no hurry to reprint the work of the Caribbean master Earl Lovelace. Salt has its champions but The Schoolmaster remains my favourite among his spare and tightly controlled novels.
Also a favourite book of Booker Winner James Kelman, incidentally.
Also a favourite book of Booker Winner James Kelman, incidentally.
March 12, 2018
I read "The SchoolMaster" while in high school, during that time I found the book a little tedious, mainly because I had to write long winded essays on themes, character development, plot, etc.
Re-reading this book as an adult and as an adult living in Trinidad and Tobago (which is where the book is set) really gave me a greater appreciation for the novel. The book is set in a remote village in Trinidad, time goes slowly, nothing ever changes. The village elders lobbied for a school to be built to help them and their children keep up with the changes happening around them. With the building of the school and the arrival of the Schoolmaster, the village of Kumaca is not prepared for what happens next.
If you are in the mood for vibrant characters, a love story, a story of hope and redemption, then this is the book for you. Reading this book really made me nostalgic and reminded me why I am such a big fan of Earl Lovelace writing.
A must read for me.
Re-reading this book as an adult and as an adult living in Trinidad and Tobago (which is where the book is set) really gave me a greater appreciation for the novel. The book is set in a remote village in Trinidad, time goes slowly, nothing ever changes. The village elders lobbied for a school to be built to help them and their children keep up with the changes happening around them. With the building of the school and the arrival of the Schoolmaster, the village of Kumaca is not prepared for what happens next.
If you are in the mood for vibrant characters, a love story, a story of hope and redemption, then this is the book for you. Reading this book really made me nostalgic and reminded me why I am such a big fan of Earl Lovelace writing.
A must read for me.
November 12, 2017
Very well written - possibly the reason why its tragic subject matter is so emotive. Earl Lovelace remains one of my favorite Trinidadian authors.
April 15, 2025
I got this book at the library. What a lucky pick! Earl Lovelace's ability to write such compelling tragedy sure is something. This book was so gut-wrenching in the best way. I genuinely have nothing bad to say about this book!
October 6, 2019
Up until two weeks ago, the only book I knew from Earl Lovelace was the "Dragon Can't Dance" but since I couldn't find it in the library, I thought, well let's see what "The Schoolmaster" will bring. I was not disappointed.
I couldn't understand why people would be skeptical of having a school in their village. After all, education meant progress and anyone who was against it was either selfish or ignorant, I thought. But when sweet Christiana's innocence was shattered, I felt like so was mine. I held out hope until the end that somehow something would work out but it painted a true depiction of some of the realities in Caribbean living.
This tale was tragic, almost haunting at times but you wouldn't want to put the book down.
I couldn't understand why people would be skeptical of having a school in their village. After all, education meant progress and anyone who was against it was either selfish or ignorant, I thought. But when sweet Christiana's innocence was shattered, I felt like so was mine. I held out hope until the end that somehow something would work out but it painted a true depiction of some of the realities in Caribbean living.
This tale was tragic, almost haunting at times but you wouldn't want to put the book down.
January 7, 2021
This novel honestly haunts me to this day....So much emotions and so much tragedy. If you're looking for a novel that can touch you deeply read this one!
August 3, 2024
A story about community, power and sacrifices for the sake of progress. Kumaca is a small village in Trinidad without a road or school where most villagers own land and make their living through cocoa harvests. Fearing being left behind in the shadow of larger neighbouring cities, several prominent men in the village decide a school is needed. The schoolmaster’s influence shapes the town in ways both expected, and unexpected.
This book read like a short story, with evocative prose and beautiful descriptions of the lushness of the landscape. While the conclusion of the story wasn’t altogether unexpected, I did appreciate seeing the various characters in the village, their motivations and musings on life as a town on the edge of moving towards a more modern way of life. I wish we could have heard from more women characters in the book, aside from Christiana, but I still appreciated her story, and the familiar plight of the eldest daughter bearing the weight of caring for the family in the absence of a mother figure.
This book read like a short story, with evocative prose and beautiful descriptions of the lushness of the landscape. While the conclusion of the story wasn’t altogether unexpected, I did appreciate seeing the various characters in the village, their motivations and musings on life as a town on the edge of moving towards a more modern way of life. I wish we could have heard from more women characters in the book, aside from Christiana, but I still appreciated her story, and the familiar plight of the eldest daughter bearing the weight of caring for the family in the absence of a mother figure.
July 6, 2025
Well written. Great plot. Powerful fictional commentary on the price of progress. The story drew me in especially in the final chapters. Power and authority can be used to edify or destroy and sometimes it does both. There are times too when our blind following of others causes us not to see what is right before our eyes.
I've read Lovelace's "The Wine of Astonishment" many years ago. I finished "Salt" last week then started reading "The Schoolmaster" after. This novel so far is my favourite. I think I am going to move on to "The Dragon Can't Dance" and call it a Lovelace Literary Hat Trick! His writing is authentically Trini and the message is always poignant.
I've read Lovelace's "The Wine of Astonishment" many years ago. I finished "Salt" last week then started reading "The Schoolmaster" after. This novel so far is my favourite. I think I am going to move on to "The Dragon Can't Dance" and call it a Lovelace Literary Hat Trick! His writing is authentically Trini and the message is always poignant.
June 27, 2023
This edition has A LOT of spelling errors! Reading it reminded me of Orwell's Animal Farm. There was such a great need for modern living, in which learning to read and write is more basic than modern. Little did they know that having no oversight would result in a lording over by the Schoolmaster.
Let this book be a reminder to all its readers that no one and nothing should be followed blindly. Ask questions. Do your own research. Don't be so simpleminded that the learned takes advantage of you.
Let this book be a reminder to all its readers that no one and nothing should be followed blindly. Ask questions. Do your own research. Don't be so simpleminded that the learned takes advantage of you.
October 30, 2019
It is amazing
September 8, 2023
Intriguing book, wanted it to end positively
July 18, 2020
Just a Story
THE SCHOOLMASTER is just a story. It is a moment in time for a peasant village in Trinidad and it is as beautiful as it is raw. "....and the donkey that had made the most runs between Kumaca and Valencia began to bray and broke into a trot and surprised the acolyte on its back who was completing his first trip." A moment in time where stories are starting and others are playing out. We are party to only one and it is enough. TEN STARS!
THE SCHOOLMASTER is just a story. It is a moment in time for a peasant village in Trinidad and it is as beautiful as it is raw. "....and the donkey that had made the most runs between Kumaca and Valencia began to bray and broke into a trot and surprised the acolyte on its back who was completing his first trip." A moment in time where stories are starting and others are playing out. We are party to only one and it is enough. TEN STARS!
March 17, 2009
I don't remember the full details of this book but i remember i really enjoyed it. it was sad. the rape and death of the girl, the mourning of her boyfriend, the anger of the community when they found out etc.. it was a good story
October 8, 2011
Change is inevitable, so the people of Cumaca learn with the coming of a new school in their rather provincial and agrarian community. With the coming of the schoolmaster is unfortunately the bringing of odious habits. :(
July 21, 2009
I had to read this in preparation for CXC Exams. It really upset me what happened but at the same time it was enjoyable reading. It had a unique Caribbean essence in it.
July 17, 2017
AMAZING : really highlights the Caribbean
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews