Dead Poets Society [Paperback]

N.H. Kleinbaum (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 1, 1989

Todd Anderson and his friends at Welton Academy can hardly believe how different life is since their new English professor, the flamboyant John Keating, has challenged them to "make your lives extraordinary!  " Inspired by Keating, the boys resurrect the Dead Poets Society--a secret club where, free from the constraints and expectations of school and parents, they let their passions run wild.  As Keating turns the boys on to the great words of Byron, Shelley, and Keats, they discover not only the beauty of language, but the importance of making each moment count.



But the Dead Poets pledges soon realize that their newfound freedom can have tragic consequences.  Can the club and the individuality it inspires survive the pressure from authorities determined to destroy their dreams?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Todd Anderson and his friends at Welton Academy can hardly believe how different life is since their new English professor, the flamboyant John Keating, has challenged them to "make your lives extraordinary! " Inspired by Keating, the boys resurrect the Dead Poets Society--a secret club where, free from the constraints and expectations of school and parents, they let their passions run wild. As Keating turns the boys on to the great words of Byron, Shelley, and Keats, they discover not only the beauty of language, but the importance of making each moment count.

But the Dead Poets pledges soon realize that their newfound freedom can have tragic consequences. Can the club and the individuality it inspires survive the pressure from authorities determined to destroy their dreams?

From the Inside Flap

Todd Anderson and his friends at Welton Academy can hardly believe how different life is since their new English professor, the flamboyant John Keating, has challenged them to "make your lives extraordinary!  " Inspired by Keating, the boys resurrect the Dead Poets Society--a secret club where, free from the constraints and expectations of school and parents, they let their passions run wild.  As Keating turns the boys on to the great words of Byron, Shelley, and Keats, they discover not only the beauty of language, but the importance of making each moment count.



But the Dead Poets pledges soon realize that their newfound freedom can have tragic consequences.  Can the club and the individuality it inspires survive the pressure from authorities determined to destroy their dreams?

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Starfire (July 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553282980
• ISBN-13: 978-0553282986
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars The Novelisation: A Big Disappointment January 1, 2007

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

I love Dead Poets Society. In fact, it's one of the best movies I've watched, ever. It was one of those that deeply moved and touched me. The stories of these boy's lives touched me, as they were so true to life.

However, after reading the book of the movie, I have to say I'm left terribly unimpressed. It read more like a kid's novel than anything else. It lacked depth and emotion. The characters were all made out to be shallow, childish and weak, while Mr. Keating's part in the changing of the boy's lives was terribly downplayed. Some of the very poignant scenes in the movie were simply not justified in the book.

I have to say though, that I have to give credit to the author for some of the extended scenes that were deleted in the movie, but apart from that, it's a big disappointment. It's okay for a read of the outline, but really, you have to watch the movie to really know and understand what DPS is about.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Novelization Of The Film September 8, 2005

By Ellie Reasoner

Format:Paperback

Although it makes me smile to say this now, when I was in middle school, I used to leave this movie in the VCR and watch it almost every morning as I was getting up for school. Something about its 1950's New England setting and cast that all came together to make it important to me. I loved its message of unconventionality and personal freedom of expression. I liked the new worlds the teacher, Mr. Keating, said poetry could open up to a reader. Time passed, I kind of got away from DPS (a film I sadly outgrew) and it wasn't until many years later as I was cruising the book section of a thrift store that I came upon the novel to this movie. Remembering the way this timelessly inspirational story used to make me happy, I bought the book and read it in one sitting. For anyone who was ever touched by Dead Poet's Society I recommend this book. To anyone else, skip it, there's not a lot here for you: no new characters, same sad ending, same time, same place. Dead Poet's Society the book reads exactly like a director's cut extended version of the Peter Weir movie, including in its length a handful of scenes the film never contained. It also has a few lines that were spicier than the dialogue in the motion picture and there's a stronger suggestion of exactly what Charlie 'Newanda' Dalton got up to with those college-age girls from town he brought to the Dead Poet's meeting that one night. I still have this little novel and I'm glad I bought it. I only wish I'd owned it back in the day when Dead Poet's Society was among my favorite movies.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, touching & easy-to- read! April 19, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I finished reading the book in just a day. The language used is simple and not too heavy. This book strikes a chord with me as the quotes that Mr Keating used from A Midsummer Night's Dream brought me back to the era of my secondary school days. It was like going down memory lane. My friends and I really loved to quote off-handedly from this play way back then. I still occasionally quote from Shakespeare. In addition, Mr Keating's advocation to carpe diem also transported me back to the days of junior college. Ever since carpe diem found its way to my vocabulary (as I was doing metaphysical poems with the above theme by Andrew Marvell), I have sworn to live by it.However, I find that the book has told more than show and there are room for expanding on its description. In a way, this drawback has made the book border on the superficial. But on the whole, Dead Poets' Society is still a book worth reading, especially for starters who are 'learning' to take an interest in Literature and hence, may not want to get heavily bogged down by literary jargons or a particular subject. My caution for these people: Take care of thyselves as thee venture into the poison springs of Literature.