A review by noahbalazs
The Blackboard Jungle by Evan Hunter

3.0

This is NOT one of those teacher-prevails-against-all-odds, inspirational-type novels. I think that's important to get out of the way immediately. It is the story of a very difficult teaching situation in a vocational high school in NYC. It was written in 1954 and it is 100% a novel "of its time." In regards to gender roles, attitudes about women, and views of discipline, it is very much (at times laughably so) a story of 1950's American culture. An entertaining read and an easy read, though not the "life affirming masterpiece" that most teaching novels try to become. Maybe it's a little more refreshing for that.