Cue for Treason

by Geoffrey Trease, Zena Flax (Illustrator)

Fleeing from the evil Sir Philip Morton, Peter Brownrigg finds himself on the wrong side of the law. On the run to London he meets Kit and the two decide to stick together. But a chance discovery endangers their lives and soon Peter is deep in murderous plots, secrets and even treason.

Set in the turbulent days of Elizabeth I, this classic story of danger and intrigue conjures up a world of mystery, twists and turns and thrilling action.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, School, Classics, Historical, Childrens

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Robert Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was a prolific writer, publishing 113 books between 1934 (Bows Against the Barons) and 1997 (Cloak for a Spy). His work has been translated into 20 languages. His grandfather was a historian, and was one of the main influences towards Trease's work.

He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just lending my hard cover copy to a young friend who is totally like Kit in the novel, full of spirit and adventure and a longing to be heroic.

I loved this book as a kid and I still think it's cool. We actually acted out part of this story in YA English class.

Here we have the classic rough and tumble tomboy dressing as a man so she can do the things she wants to do in Elizabethan England (or thereabouts). Of course, tough as horseshoe nails she may be, but the male traveling companion she falls in with soon sees her with a washed face and hair and sunlight glittering on her damp skin - she's a stunning beauty. Seeing her as a her is like watching the sun come up bright in a scintillating blue sky.

Lots of fun. Well written. Plenty of action and suspense and, ultimately, romance. Recommended.
YA ⚔️

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to do this in grade nine... I say HAD to, but after the first chapter I secretly enjoyed HAVING to read it. So much so that I kept my copy, or at least found another copy shortly after, as it's the same cover and edition as the one I read in school. It later helped me to enjoy Shakespeare a little more, as I understood more of the background of Shakespeare and what it was he did and where he was in the world. We even had to do a big bristol board layout of the Globe Theatre, so that was helpful, later on, too. I liked this story, I liked that a girl was sneaky enough to be a boy to play a girl on the Shakespeare stage, and I liked the little adventure and drama going on, the sneaking around, the danger, the treason; it was all good. I have re-read this book in the last ten year, and will do so again in the future.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun! A story about a treasonous plot against Elizabeth I, full of twists and turns, and of Shakespeare!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely got me hooked on Shakespearean and Elizabethan times!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a re-read, after many years. I read this book from Wigmore Public Library when I was 8 or 9 I guess. I loved it, read it several times, but never owned a copy until now. In fact, although it stayed in my mind, I am ashamed to say I forgot its title and author. About 15 years ago I started wracking my brains about who might have written it, what it might have been called, but to no avail. Then, 2 weeks ago, at work, I was re-ordering stock when the computer screen suddenly shouted out at me 'Cue For Treason by Geoffrey Trease', and my years of searching were finally over. Joy of joys! And yes it was as good as I remember.

The plot is as follows: Peter Brownrigg, a boy growing up in the Lake District in Elizabethan England, becomes involved in a local rebellion against a mean and unscrupulous landowner. During a night raid it becomes evident that Peter is the only one who can be identified. His parents advise him to lie low, away from the area, maybe for up to a year until things have died down. Peter leaves and comes across a band of travelling actors, who, after helping him from almost getting caught by his pursuers, offer him a job in their troupe. They travel south to London, and it is here that Peter learns of a treasonous plot against the Queen.

I won't tell any more, other than that it has lots of suspense and adventure. A great story that should appeal to any historical-minded boy or girl. One thing I learnt from it but had forgotten where, and made me laugh when I re-read it, was a cure for a stitch: touch your knee with your chin, or chin with your knee! I don't often get a stitch these days, and I'm not sure I can touch my chin with my knee anymore. I could when I was 9.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, that was so darn fun!! Such a romp of an adventure! I can’t wait until my kid friends are old enough for me to give this book to them. Peter and Kit are great heroes and I love the portrayal of Shakespeare. I always love a good spy story too. Thank you to Darryl and Libby for encouraging me to read this! It was perfect for both Tudortember and Shaketember!

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Hi fiddledee-dee, an actor's life...' you know how it goes on. This is historical writing for the young that is almost as much fantasy as history. Cumberland schoolboy Peter Brownrigg is forced to take to the road to escape the treasonable machinations of local magnate Sir Philip Morton and his power hungry hangers-on. He falls in with a company of travelling actors and meets the mysterious cross dressing Kit Kirkstone. So begins their adventures in the world of Elizabethan intrigue, the theatre of Shakespeare and Burbage, and enough high adventure to last even the most high octane youngsters a lifetime.

The book was immediately popular at the time of publication and for some it remained Trease's best. Trease discarded the old traditions of British historical writing for the young. The language derived from Sir Walter Scott and dismissed by Robert Louis Stevenson as 'tushery': “Prithee, sir, and verily it shall be as thou commandest” - that sort of thing – is replaced by contemporary (for the 1940s) dialogue. Inevitably it meant that some readers, usually adult, complained that the characters were from the 1940s too in their attitudes and behaviour. Younger readers have always taken it in their stride: it's an escapist adventure story not a history lesson. Trease insisted on boys and girls sharing the adventure and being equally adventurous and capable. They could actually be friendly with each other, though not romantic. It was not the way of things in the 1940s to have a young male protagonist falling in love with a young female protagonist and the pair of them sneaking off to the greenwood for a quick snog and cuddle.

It was Trease's habit in his historical stories to slip in 'real' characters to add a little veracity to the helter skelter proceedings and this book is unusually full of them: Queen Elizabeth, Shakespeare, Richard Burbage, Robert Cecil, Walter Raleigh are all there. The descriptions of their manner and behaviour is debatable, especially Shakespeare's – he seems to be an idealised form of Fabian socialist with a nice hand in poetic invention – but overall that isn't what the book is about. Of far more relevance is Trease's obvious love of the Cumbrian landscape – the Lake District of north west England. The place names of mountains, lakes and towns keep appearing with the sort of romantic landscape descriptions of a dedicated fell walker: Helvellyn and Striding Edge, Bassenthwaite and Ullswater, Penrith and Kendal. London on the other hand receives a summary dismissal as a big town with crowded streets and lots of people. It just so happens the Queen and Shakespeare live there.

It was a pleasure to re-read this book. If ever the phrase “they don't write them like any more” could be used with a feeling of regret it is over Trease's brightest invention.

[Zurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The descriptions, while a bit hard for me to picture since I'm not familiar with what the English countryside looked like in the Shakespearian era, were beautiful. The whole thing was fast paced, kept you guessing till the very end, and, the end. I love it WAY too much. It was surprisingly easy to read despite it being set in the time of Shakespeare. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes action, adventure and historical fiction.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book for school.it is actually quite interesting and I really enjoyed. It was quick paced and interesting.

[Gabby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad, very bad

[Gab · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an English class during a unit on Elizabethan England, so I'll try to do my best not to make the annoyance I got from the associated projects bleed into this review. However before you read Cue for Treason you need to know its history, or at least I thought it was useful to know it. This book was written to boost the morale of British people during WWII, in a time when bombs were being dropped on London night (the Blitz on London) after night and morale was low.

The story line was cute and simple. Nothing grandiose, nothing spectacular, no real plot twist or unexpected ending.

Some of the big figures of British history paraded around the pages and were brilliant and clever, just and wonderful all over the place. I forgave this fact because of the book's purpose (to remind people living in London during the Blitzkrieg.

Another few things I forgave because of the book's purpose was the sappy ending- the girl and the boy get married despite the clash of their social classes, they live in a big house, have children, don't get punished, and they all live happily ever after. It was good to convince people that everything was going to be a Fairy Tale once the war in Europe ended, it was what people wanted and needed to hear.

In that same trail of thought, the villain -horrendous, tyrannic Sir Philip Morton- was a very plain and simple one-sided fiend. But that was how people would have seen Hitler during WWII, so again the book's history saves it from my criticism.

The characters were okay. None of them stuck with me to this day, but they had me rooting for them while I was reading.

Overall the book was okay and I was glad to be exposed to a genre I wish I'd read more of. However I would not reread this book or buy my own copy.

[TheSubwayReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back Story: I have been studying drama intensively for over a decade now. I read this book during the beginning for my career and BEFORE I began to properly read Shakespeare's work. This helped me greatly because it gave me a foundation of knowledge that I could use with regards to picturing the time period.

Everyone knows who Shakespeare is even if you have never read his work. This book is oozing with his time era, but it refreshingly does not focus on the famous playwright and instead explores the world of the protagonists. What is really nice about this novel is that it helps the reader to understand that specific point in time in great detail. It looks at things such as how actors worked, how young men often played the women's roles (high pitched voices), and the fear that comes with being a women who wants to be something more than what her role requires of her.

I remember loving this book when I first read it and it has obviously left a lasting impression on me seeing as how I have bought a copy for myself. Please check it out and make other people aware of this fantastic novel so that it does not get lost in time like many works eventually do.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book it in 2022 it will have been at least the third time I have read it. I read it I believe first in 1983/84 in grade 8, I read it again a year or 2 later in Grade 9 or 10. But what stands out for me is it is the first book I can remember reading myself. I have mentioned in a few reviews and several times on my blog that I have a dual form of dyslexia. I failed grade 1 and was tested and they did not find it. I was really struggling in grade 2 and was diagnosed with a dual form of dyslexia, but they kept passing me on. So my parents sent me to a private summer school between grade 7 and grade 8, I went from reading at a grade 3 level to a university level and over 400 words per minute with comprehension. I stumbled across this book while searching for something to read with my son. I could immediately picture the Orange and black cover. And the world that opened up when I read that first book myself.

Even with the passing of over 25 years I remembered much of the broad strokes of the story. And to be honest rereading it brought back that sense of awe and accomplishment of reading a book on my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even reading it again with that gap, and with all the stories I have read in between. This novel and A Separate Peace by John Knowles are the first books I recall reading and both have stuck with me. This one for the adventure of the story and the freedom of reading myself, and the other for a different reason but I plan on rereading it soon.

Two different descriptions of this novel are:

“Fleeing from the evil Sir Philip Morton, Peter Brownrigg finds himself on the wrong side of the law. On the run to London he meets Kit and the two decide to stick together. But a chance discovery endangers their lives and soon Peter is deep in murderous plots, secrets and even treason.

Set in the turbulent days of Elizabeth I, this classic story of danger and intrigue conjures up a world of mystery, twists and turns and thrilling action.”

and

“Cue for Treason (1940) is a children's historical novel written by Geoffrey Trease, and is his best-known work. The novel is set in Elizabethan England at the end of the 16th century. Two young runaways become boy actors, at first on the road and later in London, where they are befriended by William Shakespeare. They become aware of a plot against Queen Elizabeth's life and attempt to prevent it.”

I picked this up for nostalgic reasons, to share it with my son, and because of it’s place as the first story I read. It was just as good a story as I recalled. The story is action packed. It is an interesting blend of adventure, and historical fiction. I loved the appearance and presentation of Shakespeare. And The fact that the first plan we encounter is Richard III one of my favourites is an added bonus.

The boom enthralled me as a youth and has stayed with me for nearly 4 decades. As an adult it was just as entertaining a read. An excellent volume I can easily recommend.

[Sharone Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic adventure book!

[Amber Scaife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter, a boy from Cumberland, is forced to flee his home when he's spotted trying the hit the wicked local nobleman with a rock. This sets him up for all sorts of adventures, including joining up with a traveling theater troupe, befriending a girl-in-disguise who's also a fugitive from home, meeting and working for Marlowe and Shakespeare in Elizabeth's England, and finally becoming a spy in her majesty's service to help foil a treasonous plot against her, which takes him full circle and right back to his homeland.
There are stretches of time when I consider abandoning my goal of reading through the 1001 Children's Books list because I've found so many of them not to my taste, but then one comes along that restores my faith in the project by virtue of being such a wonderful read. This is one of those books. It's a fun and fast-paced romp from the beginning to the end, with great characters and a very enjoyable plot. I loved it.

[Harry De St Croix · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read years ago. Bit of a slow middle but still an enjoyable, adventure novel.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just recently learned of this book, apparently considered to be a young adult/children's classic of historical fiction. Because I have come to enjoy this genre perhaps because of the simple and not over detailed manner of writing, I decided to acquire and read this book. I was not disappointed. It tells the story of young Peter, who must flee his Cumberland home when he impulsively chucks a stone at Sir Phillip during a clandestine effort by the locals to pull down a stone wall he has erected. Peter joins up with a group of itinerant actors and another youth, Kit, who is also fleeing. Peter and Kit end up in London where they become apprentices of a certain William Shakespeare. Kit becomes famous for performances of female roles, such as Juliet. (It is not hard to guess why Kit is so good at this.) Peter and Kit learn of a conspiracy and are recruited as secret agents in the service of Old Queen Bess. This leads them back to Cumberland where they encounter Sir Philip again and must foil a plot to assassinate the queen.

The book touches upon such matters as the impact of the enclosure laws and females on the Elizabethan stage, but does not dwell on them. We are not told the motives of the conspirators, but only that they are bad people. This is to be expected, given the target audience. We do get a nice glimpse of Shakespeare as a modest man who, like Peter, is a countryman at heart. This is a fast-paced adventure and Peter's flight from the villains over the fells of Cumbria is thrilling. An enjoyable afternoon's read even for someone who is not exactly a young adult.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite the adventure story. Obviously aimed at young boys (and tomboys), it has a slightly dull beginning, but soon picks up. History buffs interested in the time of Elizabeth I or Shakespeare will also be interested - both historical figures make appearances. As is the case with most children's books, author Trease sanitizes Shakespeare and rather softens the Queen. However, I was pleased to see that she isn't portrayed as a saint. It's always interesting to read books set during her reign and find out whether the author knows the real history or believes the revisionist history written by English "historians." Trease doesn't really commit himself to either version of history, although he makes a passing remark about her Faith not being the same Faith that previous monarchs had held. Other remarks about her seem to point toward what I understand as her true character; a good leader, rather ruthless, who will do what it takes to maintain her control over her country.

Enough of my rambling! "Cue for Treason" is a pretty good, exciting book (probably aimed for the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew age group), with a dash of seemingly unbiased history. I recommend it for someone looking for a few hours of easy reading!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hold tight to your steed for this boy's own style, tale of daring deeds and nail biting adventure. After a just act of rebellion, young Peter must flee from his beloved Cumberland. Fate puts him into the hands of a travelling band of players, who he begins to act with. In due course, he arrives in old London town where he meets the bard, William Shakespeare himself. He then unwittingly becomes involved in saving Blighty and Good Queen Bess against a plot to bring about her downfall. As a primary school teacher, it's tempting to say that I have read this as a potential book to read at school... and yes I guess there is some of that.. but, really... I picked this book up because it looked like an entertaining, great flowing adventure... that's exactly what it is. As book to kick off my summer reading - this was perfect !

[Tea · Rating 1 out of 5]

The fact that I was forced to read this book out loud in an English class with 25 other students who can't pronounce most of the words in this book did somewhat ruin the book for me. Aside from that, the story itself is bland, boring, predictable, etc... On top of that, the plot is very anti-climactic, a pet peeve of mine for literature. Geoffrey Trease's writing is childish and simple, to say the least. It is unclear if this book is written like this because it's aimed for a younger age group, or if it's just his writing style. Either way, not a fun read. 1/5

[Cel Jel · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did my mother never give me a Geoffrey Trease historical fiction book when I was young? How did she moss them?
I was made aware of this author at a Women's month Historical Fiction day at the Eltham Library Victoria, and thought. I would find a copy of his books to read. I now know the name of another historical fiction writer for younger readers that I will highly recommend.
Well paced, good tension and let's you understand a bit of history.

[Victoria Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this for grade 9 English, and I loved it. I read ahead, alot, one of the best books I have ever read. Full of action and things I never expected. My favourite character was Kit. I highly suggest everyone read this book.

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was interesting, and had a good plot. It was about boring in the start, but it got interesting, and I liked how they added in Shakespeare. I just didn't find it very interesting. 3 stars.

[Viva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead. I was reading something about the Hanseatic League and asked AI to recommend any historical fiction book about it. There wasn't any but it suggested Geoffrey Trease as someone who wrote historical fiction books. I checked him out and found out he was one of those young adult authors (we used to call them children's books). This type of fiction is actually sorely missing from today's books shelves. To be honest, I read them, but I don't really care for fantasy or magic YA books. I think historical fiction would serve our next generation much better (of course only if they were true and not warped). Anyway...

This book is about a revolt against Queen Elizabeth I. Peter is 14 and he's about to go with his father, older brother and neighbors at night to tear down a wall built by an overbearing landlord (Morton) nearby. Morton has been ruthlessly annexing or trying to annex common land that the local freeman have been using for generations.

Peter is told to keep watch while the men tear down the stone wall. But he is inattentive and Morton and his men ride up quickly to catch the freemen. Peter yells out a warning and throws a rock at the riders while the freemen escape. His rock misses and one of the riders fires a shot at him which hits and knocks his cap off his head. Peter escapes over some rocks which the horses cannot follow.

The next day a couple of men look for him at his school. Apparently they found his cap which has his name on it. And once Morton and his friendly magistrate arrests Peter, they would be able to make him reveal the names of the freemen from that night. Peter runs home and narrowly escapes out the back window.

He is by himself but after a close escape he meets a traveling troop of actors. The owners(?), the Desmonds, take him in as one of the company. Kit, a girl (disguised as a boy), also escaping from something, joins the troop at the same time. The travel for a time until the winter season arrives when the troop breaks up. Mr. Desmond breaks his leg and Peter and Kit travel by themselves to London.

In London they meet William Shakespear who help them join a theatre group where they make a decent living. By chance, they come across a plot by a group of men in Cumberland (where Peter is from) to overthrow the Queen. Shakespear introduces him to Cecil, who is the chief of the Queen's secret service. Cecil sends Peter, Kit and a spy name Tom Boyd back to Cumberland to gather more information and find the identities of the plotters.

The plotters meet in a tower that Peter is familiar with. While exploring the tower, Boyd is captured and presumably killed (he is never seen again). Peter is also captured when he goes to look for Boyd. But they decide not to kill him but instead want to know how much he knows. Peter escapes from the plotters and together with Kit goes to the next town where they tell the local magistrate of the plot.

Unfortunately the magistrate is one of the plotters. They lock the magistrate in his room and steal his horses and decide to ride to London themselves to tell Cecil. The plotters ride after them. After an eventful few days Peter accidentally run into the Desmonds who are with a new troop of actors. Peter tells Mr. Desmond everything. Desmond dresses his troop of actors in theatrical soldier uniforms, pretend to be an advance guard of the Queen's soldiers and arrest Morton and the plotters. The Queen is saved, Peter receives the favor of the Queen, marries Kit (she's an heiress) when they are of age and everyone lives happy ever after.

A good book, easy to read and get into. The good guys are good and the villains are bad. A very typical English YA book from mid-last century. I learned some history from it and enjoyed it.

[Midori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great adventure written with immense care, respect and love for the world of theatre and the Bard! Trease following the footsteps of R.L. Stevenson and his brilliant The Black Arrow, a work that his author despised (!!!), adapts the historical novel to the needs of his young readers.

We are taken to the English countryside in the times of the reign of Queen Elizabeth and we travel along with a merry group of performing actors while we briefly meet a very sympathetic William Shakespeare. The two runaways, Peter Browrigg who threw a stone to the local nobleman,Sir Philip Morton, a very evil man for sure and Katherine Russell or Kit who tries to escape a marriage with said lord, earn their living with their acting skills and get in trouble when they accidentally learn about a plot to murder the aged Queen and cause rebellion in the northern counties! Anointed new Secret Agents of the Crown they work to unravel the details of the plot, save the Queen and bring Sir Morton to justice.

The story ends well and the detail of the adventurers marrying and having children reminded me the end of the Black Arrow!

An anachronism: references to Shakespeare’s Macbeth which was written in times of the Queens’s successor, King James I.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It was a poor sort of pun, but in those days we thought a lot of puns: they were the favorite form of humor, and no playwright could have written a page without them."

How could I not give a novel containing such a quote as this at least 4 stars? And, if you have read any of the work of the Elizabethan playwrights you know that the quote is accurate. I find it interesting that this book happened to fall in my lap just a few days after reading A Tip for the Hangman. And this one gets twice the stars. This is the Elizabethan spy novel I was hungry for! More and more often it seems that I fare better with a YA offering than with adult novels. Go ahead and say it, I am both juvenile and immature. I don't care! This novel is historically accurate and the notes and questions that the author provides at the end shed further light on the major historical characters and culture. There is a subtle romance between the two primary characters that added a delightful sweetness to the story as well. I recommend this one highly!

[Karin Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an all-time favourite of mine. The fast-paced adventure and cliffhanger chapter endings pull you along, but I think it's the Elizabethan/Shakesperian England setting that made me stay in the first place. The world of the stage and the traveling theatre troupe are irresistible. Spies, codes, plot twists and vivid descriptions of landscapes and towns of the period add to the book's appeal. The politics of the day are woven into the story in a way that to me never felt heavy -- if anything, I wanted to know more after closing the book.

My copy was well-worn by the time I found it, having passed through a few family members until it ended up on a cottage book shelf. It has study notes at the back of the book, and although I didn't study it formally, I know my love for books that bring historical periods to life started here!

[adeen ahmed ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

kinda fell slightly flat of my expectations, but it was a good novel nonetheless - i've been wanting to read this one for ages, and now i finally have. the storyline was straight and simple, the characters riveting and interesting, and i loved the character of kit, who albeit being yet another archetypal tomboy ready for adventure had her own unique charm. peter was all right too, a fit narrator, providing us a window into the world of 1500s england. the villain was one-dimensional - but given the publication history and context of the book that is hardly surprising.
all in all another one of those 4-star platonics which i enjoyed reading, but after six months or so only vaguely remember the plot of, plus the fact that i liked it, which is all.
p.s. i'm pretty sure the style of talking was different in 1500s england than portrayed in this book, but eh no matter

[Mumbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Not great, to me, on the level of _A Traveller In Time_ or _Minnow On The Say_. Which I was hoping for, but you can't have everything. :) The characters are a bit too generic for that, though I did like Kit a lot.

Limiting Shakespeare's time on stage seems wise, especially when he was portrayed with a bit of a halo. But the book probably ended up less about theatre than I hoped. I thought it would settle in to the theatre world and the Globe for longer than it did.

We got chases across mountains, instead, and I must say those were very good.

So, I have complaints because I ask for the moon and the stars. And sometimes I get them, see above! But _Cue For Treason_ is still good enough to recommend.

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was part the grade 9 curriculum at my old high school for years. But even though I was forced to read it, I enjoyed it.

Being an avid reader already, I breezed through it. And being a history nut since grade 6, I enjoyed the historical setting and references, and the political background as much as the story.

Over the years not much of the story stuck in my head. I had to read wiki to remind me of the plot.

The historical stuff though, still sticks in my head today. It was the first thing I thought about when I read Neil Gaimen's "Marvel 1602".

Strange how such a silly book that so many ex-students hate, made such a long lasting impression on me.

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” - WS