Review – The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu
Synopsis
By the acclaimed author of Moxie, a funny, bighearted adult debut that is at once an ode to educators, a timely glimpse at today’s pressing school issues, and a tender character study, following a sprawling cast of teachers, administrators, and staff at a Texas high school
With its ensemble of warm and unforgettable characters, The Faculty Lounge shows readers a different side of school life. It all starts when an elderly substitute teacher at Baldwin High School is found dead in the faculty lounge. After a bit of a stir, life quickly returns to normal—it’s not like it’s the worst (or even most interesting) thing that has happened within the building’s walls. But when, a week later, the spontaneous scattering of his ashes on the school grounds catches the attention of some busybody parents, it sets in motion a year that can only be described as wild, bizarre, tragic, mundane, beautiful, and humorous all at once.
In the midst of the ensuing hysteria and threats of disciplinary action, the novel peeks into the lives of the implicated adults who, it turns out, actually have first names and continue to exist when the school day is done. A former punk band front man, now a middle-aged principal who must battle it out with the school board to keep his job; a no-nonsense school nurse willing to break the rules, despite the close watch on their campus, when a student arrives at her office with a dilemma; and a disgruntled English instructor who finds himself embroiled in even more controversy when he misfires a snarky email. Oh, and there’s also a teacher make-out session in a supply closet during a lockdown.
As these people continue to manage the messiness of this school year, there is the looming threat of what will become of their beloved Baldwin High. Ultimately, at the heart of this unconventional workplace novel is a story of the power of human connection and of the joy of finding purpose in what it is we do every day.
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Review
This is an insightful look into the lives of a high school’s teachers, administrators, and staff in Houston. While this is fiction, it may resonate with teachers as they see bits and pieces of their lives and experiences portrayed in this novel.
Each chapter is told from a different person’s perspective. The chapters are longer to capture the storyline and the characters’ actions and reactions to the situation at hand. I enjoyed peeking into these characters’ lives and learning more about them and how they felt about teaching, the students, and even the parents. There are some funny moments that we could all relate to, such as replying to an email instead of forwarding it and venting about said email.
There are some hard-hitting moments, too. For example, when someone is caught drinking on the job, the end result is not what you might expect.
I was touched by how one teacher, Bob Lehrer, touched many of their lives. Some worked with him for years, some only knew him as a substitute, but the wisdom he imparted was life changing. He made an impact on his students and those around him. Many teachers strive to have that impact on their students. It inspired a young teacher as she learned from his ways.
I felt like this book depicted high school in Texas, from the testing to the politics and the parents. It might represent high schools in other states as well, but definitely Texas, but without the football tie.
If you are a fan of Abbott Elementary, you will probably enjoy this book. If you are a teacher, you might see yourself or fellow teachers within the pages.
We give the book 4 paws up.
About the Author
Jennifer Mathieu is the critically acclaimed author of seven novels for young adults, including Moxie, which is now a major motion picture directed by Amy Poehler (Netflix). Her first novel for adults, The Faculty Lounge, is published by Dutton/Penguin Random House. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages. A former journalist, Mathieu is a graduate of Northwestern and has been a teacher for nearly twenty years. She lives with her family in Houston.
