I am an English teacher who currently has a rather advanced group of students that would like to read a thriller/suspense novel during our term together. I myself read quite a bit of true crime, but do not know of any fiction that would be appropriate for them. I’m looking for a novel that, of course, has a good plot, but isn’t too “heavy” either in language (no Proust wannabes here please) or subject matter. While I understand that gore sells when authors write such novels these days (alas the audience becomes more and more desensitized with every new release), I don’t want a story that it too shocking in that respect (e.g. Hannibal, American Psycho).
I was at the bookstore earlier today and picked up a copy of the recently published “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold. It doesn’t necessarily fall within the thriller/suspense genre from what I understand, but it looks interesting. Has anyone here read this book? Would you recommend it? The book I give my students doesn’t necessarily HAVE to be a thriller/suspense. Their vote today was a just a quideline for me in my search. If this “Lovely Bones” book is pretty good, it might just be a contender.
Does anyone out there have any recommendations to add to my list of possibilities?
I’m not much for thriller/suspense novels, but William Trevor’s Felicia’s Journey is both psychologically intense and well-written, with plenty of “issues” (especially regarding misogyny/violence against women) that could easily be discussed in class. And it’s not about cheap thrills or gore, either.
Siberian Light by Robin White Monstrum by Donald James Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith
All of these take place in Russia (mostly) and besides being excellent thrillers/mysteries in their own right also give you a real sense of a foreign culture and characters. Gorky Park, of course, takes place under the Soviet rule, while the other two are placed in Russia post-Soviet-fall. Just excellent books these are, very recommended.
I haven’t read Lovely Bones, but I did read the review.
It is supposed to be fantastic, but it is written from the perspective of a dead girl who was killed during a violent beating and rape.
Pretty advanced. I live in Stockholm, Sweden where almost everyone is rather advanced when it comes to their English skills. Makes you wonder how I can get a job here, eh? I chalk it up to they don’t KNOW how good they are. I find that most of my students here mostly just need some practice and lots of positive reinforcement. While I do review challenging grammar points with them through worksheets, I try to make them talk as much as possible. We also read interesting (usually bizarre in order to inspire a chat) newspaper articles to build their vocabulary.
It’s true that they will miss out on quite a few words here and there whatever book I assign, but they really want to read a modern novel. My aim is to give them something that they can at least follow plotwise. We can go over challanging text in class together. The class is not graded, so there won’t be any pressure to read the book if they find it’s too difficult in the end. I’ll just have to develop a back-up plan in case that does indeed happen
Oh, I know how good Swedes are in English! I’ve been to Malmo several times and could not believe the local bookshops had almost half their titles in English - and it was the busiest section of the store!
But back to the OP…what I meant was, how advanced socially are your students to discuss violent rape and murder in the classroom? When I was teaching ESL, I quickly learned there were some topics best not discussed in a classroom situation. There were some exceptions, (and someday I will relate how my “porno English” lesson landed me the highest paid ESL teaching job in Europe) but for the most part, I think unless you know your class very well, this might be a hot topic.
Then again, maybe that is what you are looking for. From the rave reviews of this book, maybe it is not crucial to delve into the specifics of the rape and murder. The book is selling like crazy, and word of mouth generally does not push books that are full of gore - so most likely I am totally off-base with my concerns.
Another approach might be to take a book that has been made into a movie. Read the book, then see the movie together. For instance, “A Beautiful Mind”; the book is vastly different from the film. It would be interesting to see what your students think of the Hollywood version of the original story.
At any rate, good luck and have fun! I’ll think of you next time I wander through IKEA!
Oops…I also meant to second Celyn’s suggestion of The Wasp Factory.
I read that book years ago - it is one of the oddest little pieces of fiction I ever remember reading, but I couldn’t put it down. And it certainly has a surprising ending!
[DMark mutters to himself: I am praising the very oddball book, The Wasp Factory and worried about Lovely Bones? Maybe I should just leave poor c-of-cyn alone.]
Several of the ‘Inspector Rebus’ series, by Ian Rankin, especially the later ones are good. They take place in Scotland but the language is plain and the few oddities will make good points of discussion and introduce an appreciation for the range of local English.
My wife loved ‘The Chess Garden’ by Brooks Hansen, it’s a mystery, an allegory and a spiritual journey in relatively plain language. Swedenborgianism figures in it in a simple way (insofar as that’s possible) Swedes should love it.
I’m leaning towards this “Lovely Bones” option. I did a bit of research on “Felicia’s Journey” and “The Wasp Factory” and neither floats my boat (<— oh no! I’m channeling my Dad!). Perhaps I’m being nitpicky, but “Felicia’s Journey” seems to paint Felicia out to be a ninny while the reader is meant to eventually like Mr. Psycho Man. I don’t like conveying that sort of message even if it is only fiction (isn’t art an imitation of life?). And then while most reviews praise “Wasp Factory” quite highly, a few mention the animal cruelty involved in the story. Maybe the students wouldn’t be so affected by such visuals, but I wouldn’t be able to handle them myself. I’d fall apart very early on. I know, I know - become haunted over some little furry creature’s demise, but hardly bat an eyelash reading about horrible crimes committed against people? I can’t explain why I am this way, I just am. I also fear that I am not alone in this sentiment.
Despite shooting these two options down, I really DO appreciate the suggestions.
DMark:
I understand your concerns regarding the touchy issues presented in any of these books. Believe me, I wouldn’t consider these themes and titles with any ol’ class. I feel that I know this group pretty well, however. They are adults to whom I teach Business English. We have already been meeting weekly for aboutu 5 months. There are two women in the group that come rather religiously, while another has dropped out due to work pressure, and the man comes and goes at will. I suspect that it’s the two women that will really be reading this book and discussing it with me. It was they who suggested the whole idea, so they are both quite self-motivated about it.
I’ve read a few reviews for “The Lovely Bones” too and I’m lead to believe that while the girl does die horrifically, this particular act gives rise to the rest of the plot rather than it being the central focus. That is to say, I don’t think her death scene has to be relived time and time again through each page. The concentration appears to be on the aftermath including heaven, her family, and the search for justice.
In the end, maybe I’m a bit biased since I want to read the book myself
But I’ll investigate your gracious suggestions too Uncle Toby. Nothing is written in stone yet.
Joyce Carol Oates is a terrifically creepy author. She writes beautifully and her works are chilling. A Bloodsmoor Romance is one of my favorites by her. It’s a riff on the gothic romance genre. Someone once described it to me as “Little Women meets Stephen King.” However, the prose is meant to recall that of Dickens and other 19th century writers, so it may be a bit dense for non-native speaker.
Collector of Hearts is a volume of her short stories that I also like. The language is more straightforward and the stories are great.
My SO liked Because It is Bitter, and Because It is My Heart, another Oates novel. I haven’t read that one yet, though.
Hmm…if I’m remembering the novel correctly, Felicia’s not so much a “ninny” but rather someone who’s been shaped by a very conservative Irish Catholic upbringing. And while I wouldn’t consider the psycho likeable, he is nevertheless a complex, three-dimensional character.
There is a movie version of Felicia’s Journey you might want to check out. I’ve never seen it, and I don’t think it was as well-received as the novel, but it would give you an overview of what the book’s about. I think it’s fairly faithful. In any case, the novel’s an addictive read, even if it’s not what you had in mind for your class.