Questions About The Topeka School

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I found Leaving the Atocha Station almost unbearable, and it appears this book shares the same main character. Am I right to assume that I will probably not enjoy this novel either?

Georgia Taylor I'm quitting while 135 pages in, I don't like the writing/storytelling. I couldn't explain really what it was about to a co-worker, and took that as a…moreI'm quitting while 135 pages in, I don't like the writing/storytelling. I couldn't explain really what it was about to a co-worker, and took that as a sign. And I'm a librarian! (less)

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Susan Regarding “The Topeka School”

Psychoanalysis? Didn’t that theory and practice go out of style (acceptance) years ago? Why write a novel about it now as…moreRegarding “The Topeka School”

Psychoanalysis? Didn’t that theory and practice go out of style (acceptance) years ago? Why write a novel about it now as if it is still relevant?

I did not enjoy this book. I thought the main characters were supercilious, the novel entirely too wordy, with a ‘bad’ mystery character in the middle of it whose ‘badness’ never becomes clear or has a consequence. In the end, Darren disappears, as does whatever bad thing he does. White male privilege? This book reeks of it. White educated men worrying about what is happening to their power, to their voices. The main character is a son of two psychoanalysts and is also a national debate champion.

In my opinion, there seemed to be no point to this book. The characters were unlikeable, the story non-existent, and an unsatisfying ending. There are hints of our current political situation, since
““It seems sort of ridiculous until you remember the specter haunting this book, an extemporaneous wonder whose incoherent babbling serves to dissemble, deceive, distract.”. The book would have been more enjoyable if the author has commented on how an entire medical facility with a tradition of psychoanalysis (Freud’s theories having been disproven years ago) managed to exist in Topeka, Kansas at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st.

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Do I have to read 'Leaving the Atocha Station' before I get to this?

Alex I didn’t. Didn’t feel as if I’d missed anything.

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I am an avid lifetime reader, but I am having a hard time getting through this novel. I can only take a small amount of it at a time, like a third of a chapter. I feel as if I understand the main character fine, and he is well drawn. Like him, I was a debater, but it seems debating no longer is supposed to make any sense. Does it ever get easier or make more sense?

Aaron Honestly, my experience was that no, it doesn't get easier or make a lot of sense. I wanted to love the book, but didn't. The debate sections were the…moreHonestly, my experience was that no, it doesn't get easier or make a lot of sense. I wanted to love the book, but didn't. The debate sections were the most engaging parts, otherwise it was hard to relate to the characters and the scenes.(less)

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Jolene 1) I just finished the novel so haven't entirely processed this part. My gut reaction is that this was a little kid belief that Adam grew past and Dar…more1) I just finished the novel so haven't entirely processed this part. My gut reaction is that this was a little kid belief that Adam grew past and Darren never did. It also demonstrates their childhood connection.

2) I believe the scene does happen. It says Amanda's speech was impacted for life, but yes, she survives. The rewinding is, perhaps, a metaphor for everything Lerner is doing in this book: rewinding, reflecting, taking apart, putting together the narrative of his life.(less)

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