The School
The School
Book Brief
Beta15
Short Story • Fiction
Elementary School • 1970s
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In "The School" by Donald Barthelme, students in an elementary school experience a series of unfortunate events, leading to numerous losses of plants, animals, and even people. As the children confront these situations, their curiosity and questions about life and mortality grow, prompting a reflective and philosophical conversation within the classroom environment.
Dark
Mysterious
Unnerving
Humorous
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
924 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The School by Donald Barthelme is a darkly humorous short story that explores themes of death and existentialism in a peculiar educational setting. Critics praise its unique narrative style and clever wit, although some argue its brevity limits character development. The story's absurdity and philosophical undertones make it a compelling, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The School?
A reader who enjoys The School by Donald Barthelme is likely to appreciate dark humor and absurdist fiction. Fans of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five or Thomas Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 will find Barthelme's concise, satirical storytelling appealing, as he explores existential themes with wit and brevity.
924 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
"The School" is a short story by Donald Barthelme, originally published in The New Yorker in 1974, showcasing the author's signature style of absurdist and darkly comic narratives.
Barthelme's story is often celebrated for its unique narrative that transforms a seemingly grim scenario into a comedic and philosophical exploration of life and education.
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The story has been widely anthologized and is frequently used in literature courses to illustrate postmodern narrative techniques and themes.
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15
Short Story • Fiction
Elementary School • 1970s
2014
Adult
18+ years
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