Archive for September, 2016
I Review Nicholson Baker’s “Substitute”
Most of Baker’s students are “alert” and “funny,” “attentive, good-natured, and full of ideas,” as he often writes in his reports to their regular teachers. But there’s always some chaos in classrooms of captive students who, armed with iPads, face a dubious curriculum and inept instructors. There are no major classroom catastrophes, but one of Baker’s greatest challenges is class control, which is probably much easier when you stand nearly 6 feet 5 inches. Still, student voices do get loud, and Baker doesn’t like loud.
You can read my review of Substitute, by Nicholson Baker, in the Sunday, September 4, edition of the News & Observer, by clicking the image below.
You can buy Baker’s Substitute at Barnes and Noble.
