Reviews

The English Experience by Julie Schumacher

bridgettes_books's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

siobhankennedy's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

aurigae's review against another edition

5.0

I was uncertain (but curious) whether the travails of Jay Fitger - professor of English, divorced misanthrope, and misery-prone everyman - could withstand a third airing. I'm glad I gave it a chance, because The English Experience is more compelling than (and almost as funny as) its predecessors.

The story begins with Fitger temporarily exiled from his crumbling English department at his second-rate university to take up temporary residence in a crumbling English dorm with a dozen second-rate students. Fitger's third-person narration is interspersed with the students' essays during their three-week course abroad.

And... it works. I found the fully epistolary nature of the first Fitger novel ([b:Dear Committee Members|19288259|Dear Committee Members|Julie Schumacher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1432245100l/19288259._SY75_.jpg|27336530]) wearing, but alternating students' voices with Fitger's provided just the right mix of styles and perspectives. Even better, the brief time frame and isolated characters intensified the story beyond Fitger's usual desultory unhappiness. In addition to the acerbic humor I expected, I found compassion for the human condition, begrudging self-awareness, and even growth. By the end of the novel, Fitger had transcended his own genre, and I loved it.

[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.]

r_reads2winnie's review against another edition

4.25

The story is about Fitger, an English professor, who unwillingly chaperons a group of students to a study abroad program in England for three weeks. These are not the best students, so the rules are broken, and there are so many mishaps on this trip. In order to move the plot forward, the author uses the essays the students are required to write about their daily experiences. These essays capture the students so well, and the readers learn so much about them. In the epilogue, the author tells us what happened to these students a few years later, and I really enjoyed that information. 

What I did not realize until I finished the book was that this book is the third in a trilogy. It’s probably best to read the three books in order, but I enjoyed reading this third installment by itself. This was an entertaining and delightful read! 

flubbinit's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Not quite my cup of tea, a bit on the nose and cheesy, but a quick fun read. My grandma bought it for me so I didn't realize it was the 3rd in a series but it reads just fine as a stand alone book.

chaoticperfectionist's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

ashbuckmaster's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lcg527's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

booklady66's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were fun and interesting as well as the places in England they visited. Each character had their own story and perspective. It kept the book going quickly. 

bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition

3.5

3.5 stars

I still think the first book in this series is the best. I felt that this, as the third installment, wasn’t how I thought it would be. I did enjoy that there were the student essays of varying quality, but I think this series shines when Jason Fitger is writing. Because we don’t see his writing in this, I have to lower my rating. I think the reader was supposed to find the students charming, and the story was too short to have won me over that quickly. Most of the student stories are very superficial.