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Thrift
by
Phil Church
A failing secondary school. A selection of confused teenagers. A play doomed for disaster. A distinctly below average teacher.
Being a successful teacher is difficult, especially when you are not overly keen on doing any actual work.
Still, the narrator of Thrift is undeterred as he lies and cheats his way through the Christmas term, hoping that he can save his career, and...more
Being a successful teacher is difficult, especially when you are not overly keen on doing any actual work.
Still, the narrator of Thrift is undeterred as he lies and cheats his way through the Christmas term, hoping that he can save his career, and...more
ebook, 174 pages
Published
(first published September 3rd 2011)
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"An enjoyably dark indictment of modern education"
I came across Thrift thanks to the joys of social networking, and am glad I spent what is, let's be honest, not a lot of money for what is a thoroughly enjoyable first novel from author Phil Church.
I'm close enough to my high school past to remember the apathy with which some students strode around and now have teaching friends to regale me with what life is like from behind the staff room door.
Thrift takes us with what could be depressing accura...more
I came across Thrift thanks to the joys of social networking, and am glad I spent what is, let's be honest, not a lot of money for what is a thoroughly enjoyable first novel from author Phil Church.
I'm close enough to my high school past to remember the apathy with which some students strode around and now have teaching friends to regale me with what life is like from behind the staff room door.
Thrift takes us with what could be depressing accura...more
I had to leave this review a couple of days before writing it as it made me angry. I’ve calmed down now though. This book is about the life of a secondary school English teacher. Not the inspirational teacher that inspired you to become poet laureate. This is about a jaded and apathetic teacher who drifts through life desperately hoping he doesn’t get found out. The kind of teacher that spends more time in the pub than on lesson planning and marking, or to put it bluntly the media’s view of what...more
Clever and genuinely funny:
I'm so glad I bought this book as its entertainment value is way above its modest price. I've worked supporting special needs students in three inner city schools and, though the book is written from a humorous perspective, there is absolutely nothing in here that I would consider to be exaggerated. I love Phil Church's droll presentation, that ranges from very laid back ironic to full on hilarious. Couple that with excellent observations of the main characters, the fa...more
I'm so glad I bought this book as its entertainment value is way above its modest price. I've worked supporting special needs students in three inner city schools and, though the book is written from a humorous perspective, there is absolutely nothing in here that I would consider to be exaggerated. I love Phil Church's droll presentation, that ranges from very laid back ironic to full on hilarious. Couple that with excellent observations of the main characters, the fa...more
A failing secondary school. A selection of confused teenagers. A play doomed for disaster. A distinctly below average teacher.
Being a successful teacher is difficult, especially when you are not overly keen on doing any actual work.
Still, the narrator of Thrift is undeterred as he lies and cheats his way through the Christmas term, hoping that he can save his career, and perhaps even earn himself a thoroughly undeserved promotion. (Author description)
Thrift is a humorous look at the every day l...more
Being a successful teacher is difficult, especially when you are not overly keen on doing any actual work.
Still, the narrator of Thrift is undeterred as he lies and cheats his way through the Christmas term, hoping that he can save his career, and perhaps even earn himself a thoroughly undeserved promotion. (Author description)
Thrift is a humorous look at the every day l...more
Phil Church’s debut novel `Thrift’ is a superbly original comedy centring on the misadventures of a failing and exhausted English teacher at an upper school running in equal measures on incompetence, and expert posturing.
His love life is nonexistent, ingeniously self-sabotaged from post to wire, and his friendship circle consists of one: his sometime employed best friend with whom he shares a tumbledown cottage in a socially comatose village, where the only source of entertainment is going down...more
His love life is nonexistent, ingeniously self-sabotaged from post to wire, and his friendship circle consists of one: his sometime employed best friend with whom he shares a tumbledown cottage in a socially comatose village, where the only source of entertainment is going down...more
To all of my teachers, I’m sorry! It’s not that long since I left school, and I have certificates to prove that, and although we weren’t quite as difficult in my day, we had our moments! Thrift brought so many memories flooding back of the ‘best days of my life’ that I found it hard to imagine this as any other school than mine.
I was reading this outside, basking in the sun, iPod on and only realised I’d laughed out loud when my neighbour, who was washing his car, stuck his head round the wall t...more
I was reading this outside, basking in the sun, iPod on and only realised I’d laughed out loud when my neighbour, who was washing his car, stuck his head round the wall t...more
I don't normally go for comedy books but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It is the story of a hopeless teacher in a seemingly hopeless school and it is very funny.
The author creates a fun and engaging cast, including a biscuit-loving deputy head, a teacher who cries at any opportunity and Malcolm, the narrator's lazy housemate. The narrator himself is a teacher with no control whatsoever of his classes and part of the fun of the book is watching him blag his way through school life and a...more
The author creates a fun and engaging cast, including a biscuit-loving deputy head, a teacher who cries at any opportunity and Malcolm, the narrator's lazy housemate. The narrator himself is a teacher with no control whatsoever of his classes and part of the fun of the book is watching him blag his way through school life and a...more
To be or like not to be.
There are plenty of stories about great fictional teachers, from Mr. Chips to Albus Dumbledore; inspiring tales of educators who work tirelessly to pass their knowledge on to their bright, young, eager students.
This is not one of those stories.
Here's a tale about a bored and burned-out teacher who does little to inspire his apathetic students. True, he derives little inspiration from the students themselves. They'd rather be listening to music, texting and eating sweets...more
There are plenty of stories about great fictional teachers, from Mr. Chips to Albus Dumbledore; inspiring tales of educators who work tirelessly to pass their knowledge on to their bright, young, eager students.
This is not one of those stories.
Here's a tale about a bored and burned-out teacher who does little to inspire his apathetic students. True, he derives little inspiration from the students themselves. They'd rather be listening to music, texting and eating sweets...more
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I was really looking forward to reading this book as I had read previous, great reviews and I was not disappointed. I found the lives of the 'grown ups' humorously depressing. This book really did make me laugh out loud and I struggled to put it down. I disturbingly found myself saying 'innit' a lot after reading it (which is worrying) and shows how I absorbed it all! The Mr Stevens incident and the Christmas play, among many others, had me properly giggling as I was right there in the moment wh...more
Comparison to Lucky Jim, Billy Liar, Frank Spencer, Men Behaving Badly, and so on by reviewers show that Phil Church has managed to achieve an eclectic comedy audience (certainly varied in age). It is not surprising that many readers make TV comparisons or suggest filmic possibilities since this is somewhat episodic rather than plot-driven narrative. For me it wasn't laugh-out-loud stuff but the amusement was maintained most of the way through. As many readers point out, this is a good first boo...more
This book was an enjoyable read. It held my interest throughout and there were some really funny moments.
The story is about a secondary school teacher who, basically, isn't very good at his job. His biggest problem is that he doesn't really want to work and would prefer to spend all his time in the pub with his best friend Malcolm who's also a bit of a layabout. Somehow though, through lying and cheating and the help of his students, he manages to have a fairly successful term which may mean th...more
The story is about a secondary school teacher who, basically, isn't very good at his job. His biggest problem is that he doesn't really want to work and would prefer to spend all his time in the pub with his best friend Malcolm who's also a bit of a layabout. Somehow though, through lying and cheating and the help of his students, he manages to have a fairly successful term which may mean th...more
I read this in a couple of sittings on my mobile phone (don't have a Kindle yet!). It was an easy read with some very vivid characters. I have to say, the C4 TV series "Teachers" is a favourite of mine, and I saw a lot of that similar, self-debasing humour in "Thrift". But that's not meant as a criticism. Phil Church's school is slightly less surreal than the one featured in "Teachers", which makes me think that, in a slightly less exaggerated way, many secondary schools are similar to "Thrift"....more
What happens when a preposterously lazy English teacher gets picked to direct the school play? Absolutely nothing. Thrift by Phil Church chronicles the semi-comical encounters of one teacher’s attempt to squeak by on minimal effort and false pretense in a school system where apathy is the norm from students, teachers, and administrators alike.
The amazing thing about this book is how much effort the narrator puts into being lazy. While the characterization may be excellent on that point, it also...more
The amazing thing about this book is how much effort the narrator puts into being lazy. While the characterization may be excellent on that point, it also...more
'Thrift' written by Phil Church is an extremely comic contemporary fiction about a failing English teacher. The novel is set in one of the British schools where the readers follow day to day activities of teachers and their students.
I was fortunate enough to get the book for free when the author was giving it away while marketing it on Twitter. I was so glad that I read it.
I found myself laughing while reading it. The story mocks the British state education system which is taken too seriously i...more
I was fortunate enough to get the book for free when the author was giving it away while marketing it on Twitter. I was so glad that I read it.
I found myself laughing while reading it. The story mocks the British state education system which is taken too seriously i...more
I was initially grabbed by the infinite possibilities that the blurb suggested and Thrift did not disappoint. Its comic element is so effective due to its accuracy. The caricature of a bad attitude teacherand a narcissistic, shallow management team versus a realistically portrayed (oh yes!) gaggle of teenage schoolchildren makes for hilarious and all too possible reading.
The quality of Church's writing is such that its fluidity is seamless and challenges you to even notice the words on the page...more
The quality of Church's writing is such that its fluidity is seamless and challenges you to even notice the words on the page...more
I honestly can't remember the last time a book made me laugh so hard. Church has created a flawed yet ultimately so relatable and loveable character in his hapless, nameless teacher that despite the ridiculousness of the situations he finds himself in, you can't help but get sucked in to the madness.
Yet you also sense there is a bit of social commentary going on here as, despite the Herculean efforts the teacher goes through to get himself into and then out of trouble, everyone else - from the s...more
Yet you also sense there is a bit of social commentary going on here as, despite the Herculean efforts the teacher goes through to get himself into and then out of trouble, everyone else - from the s...more
Mostly, I really liked this. I did actually laugh out loud at a couple of bits - unusual for me when reading a book. At first I thought it was like a sort of modern day Lucky Jim, but then I realised it was more like reading several episodes of Peep Show or Mitchell & Webb sketches. I thought it lost its way a little bit in the middle (ie, got a bit TOO outlandish) but that was only a brief falter. I loved the mockery of such daft phrases as 'independent learning' (for letting the pupils jus...more
I still can't figure out why the title of this book is Thrift -- if there was an explanation, I missed it. Thrift is about a teacher stuck in a highschool filled with underachievers and a headmaster with expectations that far exceed what might be delivered. Despite being uninterested in his job and basically unmotivated to do almost anything, the protagonist manages to land on his feet time and again. At the core of the story is his selection to run the school play -- the Headmaster hopes for so...more
"Such unexpected generosity meant that within half an hour most of the twenty or so teachers who had made it to the event were veering from ‘tipsy’ to ‘quite drunk’."
It's a profession everyone has some experience with, teaching. I chuckled my way through this in an hour or two and thought it quite an interesting take!
"I had never played golf before. This was obvious to the other players as my first practice shot sliced off the end of the club and struck Malcolm in the shoulder."
I'd find it diffi...more
It's a profession everyone has some experience with, teaching. I chuckled my way through this in an hour or two and thought it quite an interesting take!
"I had never played golf before. This was obvious to the other players as my first practice shot sliced off the end of the club and struck Malcolm in the shoulder."
I'd find it diffi...more
This is a cracking book! I laughed from the very first to the very last page. The teenage dialogue is spot on. Each new chapter had me laughing in anticipation and it never disappointed. It reminded me of a sort of Thin Blue Line meets Waterloo Road meets Bottom. I would imagine if you happen to be a teacher, then you will find this book even more amusing. I hope Phil's next books are just as funny and daft as this one! I honestly have not laughed so much at a book since the last time I re-read...more
This is a light, breezy read that will appeal most to those who have worked in the education system. It is clearly exaggerated but does capture the apathy, boredom and sense of futility felt by many students and teachers. Well-written and humorous. As a former teacher I can relate and it made me so glad I don't teach anymore!
I really enjoyed this novel. There are few little editing issues, but they did not spoil my enjoyment of the story (you might want to change tact to tack, though, Phil). The humour is subtle and had me smiling rather than laughing, but it's a good, relaxing companion that can be put down and picked up as the time available allows. Thanks, Phil - it's been just what I needed for the last couple of (very busy) weeks.
I changed the rating today (10 June). I scored it at 4 to begin with, but I've upp...more
I changed the rating today (10 June). I scored it at 4 to begin with, but I've upp...more
not convinced. shallow and I didn't relate to it at all. report says must do better. characters needed developing much more and relationships were cliches that didn't actually go anywhere. classroom scenes where this shambles of a teacher "got away with it" were ridiculous and totally unbelievable. this book was a real disappointment
Very funny romp through a term at an English Secondary school. All the horrors of a group of unruly kids lead by a team of failing teachers, whose own lives are failing at the same time.
Thrift is a great contemporary read, full of energy wrapped in characterised sloth & plenty of threads which eventually pull together & keep you absorbed. I look forward to a sequel!
I'm giving this one four stars not because it's great literature, but because it's been such good fun to read and made me so much!
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Very, very entertaining! As a former educator myself, reading about a very lazy teacher really cracked me up. I have never met a teacher like him. Also, his roommate was a hoot, along with all the characters at the pub. Thrift is an easy, fun read. I could't wait to find out how the school play turned out!
A funny little book really. Amusing and fairly straight forward but good to read. Funny ending too.
I laughed out loud quite a few times although I didn't appreciate the attitude of this nameless teacher, especially to the bullied student.
Good to know that he's aware of his mental and personal issues although a sociopath actually enjoys inventing crisis for himself to purposely attract the centre of the attention (either people's pities for or disgusts to him) rather than simply turns the faults on others to get away from guilts. This teacher's fortunes were all by accident.
Enjoyed Phil Church...more
Good to know that he's aware of his mental and personal issues although a sociopath actually enjoys inventing crisis for himself to purposely attract the centre of the attention (either people's pities for or disgusts to him) rather than simply turns the faults on others to get away from guilts. This teacher's fortunes were all by accident.
Enjoyed Phil Church...more
This book was not for me. I found the characters annoying and the situations utterly unrealistic. The way in which the events unfolded were poorly constructed. There were some scenes that I could imagine happening, but as a whole the story did nothing to transport me in to it's reality.
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Phil Church was born in Hertfordshire. He went to university in Nottingham and studied archaeology, after which he worked as a field archaeologist for three years. He has done various other jobs such as working in a bookshop and proofreading. He currently teaches secondary English near Cambridge. Thrift is his first book.
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