This Is The Schoolroom [Paperback]

Nicholas Monsarrat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

The turbulent Thirties, and all across Europe cry the discordant voices of hunger and death, most notably in Spain, where a civil war threatens to destroy the country. Aspiring writer, Marcus Hendrycks, has toyed with life for twenty-one years. His illusions, developed within a safe, cloistered existence in Cambridge, are shattered forever when he joins the fight against the fascists and is exposed to a harsh reality. As the war takes hold, he discovers that life itself is the real schoolroom.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nicholas Monsarrat was born in Liverpool and educated at Cambridge University, where he studied law. His career as a solicitor encountered a swift end when he decided to leave Liverpool for London, with a half-finished manuscript under his arm and £40 in his pocket. His first book to attract attention was the largely autobiographical 'This is the Schoolroom'. During World War II he joined the Royal Navy and served in corvettes. His war experience provided the framework for the novel 'HMS Marlborough will enter Harbour', one of his best known books. 'The Cruel Sea' was made into a classic film starring Jack Hawkins. Established as a top name writer, Monsarrat's career concluded with 'The Master Mariner'. Well known for his concise story telling and tense narrative, he became one of the most successful novelists of the twentieth century, whose rich and varied collection bears the hallmarks of a truly gifted writer. A professional who gives us our money's worth. The entertainment value is high' - Daily Telegraph

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: House of Stratus (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842321587
• ISBN-13: 978-1842321584
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,112,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicholas Monsarrat's First Quality Novel, April 30, 2008

By 

Richard Cunningham (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Is The Schoolroom (Paperback)

This predates his very good WWII writing "Three Corvettes." I could write that this is a British version of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" with a happier ending. Published in September/October 1939(overshadowed by the start of War) it came out almost a year before Ernest Hemingway's Spanish Civil War novel was published in July 1940.

Partly autobiographical, Monsarrat graduated with a honors degree in law in 1931 from Trinity College Cambridge and worked in a Nottingham solicitor's office for two years before moving to London to become a freelance writer. Some of his 1930's terminology and slang may be unfamiliar, particularly with non-UK readers but wikipedia and google are useful resources which may be helpful. His description of the Cotswolds is beautiful, and there are some rather clever phrases like: "And though of course one must guard against too high a degree of specialization-you remember the definition of a specialist? 'A man who learns more and more about less and less, until finally he knows everything about nothing.'"

I admire his low-key but perceptive realism, avoiding melodrama. Courage & Reason, not Fear & Rage.