A good school by Richard Yates is another novel in the long tradition of "public school writing". The introduction by the author seems a bit tongue-in-cheek, confusing me as whether to see this as autobiographical or pure fiction. I felt the first part of the book more enticing than the later part. ( )

Several loosely-related short stories braided into a short novel. I enjoyed, but for me personally it was a little too sexually explicit (the author seems to fixate on pubic hair). ( )

I liked this book much less than others I have read written by Richard Yates. I felt there was too much information, not enough clarity, and so very much bad behavior. It is hard to believe that all of these incidents are based on truth, and that there were no intercessions. I rated it as highly as I did because I learned from the parts that may have been based on real experiences. ( )

This is the first novel I’ve read by Richard Yates, although Revolutionary Road has been on my TBR list ever since the film (which I haven’t actually seen) came out. I wasn’t sure what to expect beyond a vague sense of classic American sensibilities being placed under the microscope. In a sense, this semi-autobiographical novel was an easy way in, playing to my interest in school stories, as it follows the young William Grove through two years at the isolated Dorset Academy in Connecticut. Around Grove’s story swirls those of the other boys and the masters at this odd, struggling school; while Pearl Harbour looms on the horizon, and war threatens to change the Dorset boys forever...

For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2019/01/12/a-good-school-richard-yates/ ( )

un libro molto particolare, lo stile di Yates è dissacrante e impietoso nella descrizione dei suoi personaggi e delle storie che li riguardano ( )