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Rookery Blues
 
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Rookery Blues (Paperback)

by Jon Hassler (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Price: CDN$ 16.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 39. Details
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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Set amidst the discontent of the 1960s, Hassler's comic novel looks at a group of disaffected academics in a small Minnesota town.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Product Description

"UNFORGETTABLE . . . Hassler has skillfully encapsulated an entire world of humanity and emotion in one tiny town in northern Minnesota."
--San Diego Union-Tribune
Rookery State College in the late 1960s is an academic backwater if ever there was one. Then, one frigid afternoon, the Icejam Quintet is born. With Leland Edwards on piano, Neil Novotny on clarinet, Victor Dash on drums, and Connor on bass, the group comes together with the help of its muse, the lovely Peggy Benoit, who plays saxophone and sings. But soon isolated Rookery State will be touched by the great discontent sweeping the country. News of a salary freeze electrifies the rabble-rousing Victor, and the first labor union in the college's history comes noisily to campus. As a teachers' strike takes shape, threatening both the draft-dodging students and the complacent administration, the five musicians must struggle with their loyalties--to the school, the town, their families, and each other. . . .
"IRRESISTIBLY DELIGHTFUL . . . TOUCHING AND UPLIFTING."
--The Orlando Sentinel
"AN UPROARIOUSLY FUNNY, WONDERFULLY SATISFYING SENDUP OF ACADEMIC TOMFOOLERY."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (5)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most helpful customer reviews

 
4.0 out of 5 stars Dickensesque, April 2 2002
By Dave Schwinghammer "Dave Schwinghammer" (Little Falls, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Rookery Blues (Hardcover)
ROOKERY BLUES revolves around the experiences of the Icejam Quintet during the '60s at Rookery State College: Leland Edwards on piano, Neil Novotny on clarinet, Victor Dash on drums, Connor on bass, and Peggy Benoit, saxophonist and singer. The musicians are professors and instructors at the college. Each of them has a story line. The beautiful Peggy Benoit is taken with alcoholic Connor. She's kind of a groupie, being more enamored of Connor's reputation as an artist than the man. I found Neil Novotny, who plays clarinet, the most interesting character, because he gives Hassler an opportunity to satirize beginning novelists (and I imagine what he remembers about the experience himself). My favorite Hassler book is STAGGERFORD in which Hassler satirizes the political and personal machinations that occur in a high school setting. As a twenty-year teacher, I found those more interesting than the story line.
I also had fun trying to pick out any similarities to the two colleges Hassler taught at: Brainerd Community College and St. John's (just outside St. Cloud, Minnesota). There's an ice fishing scene which seems to point at the little lake right next to St. John's. The other character I found intriguing was Victor Dash, the faculty union representative. Most of the teachers involved find labor negotiations beneath themselves; Dash revels in the matter, would like nothing better than to strike.
Hassler is a Dickensesque writer, totally immersing us in this academic setting. Major characters and minor characters are given the same careful attention to detail. You can't lose with ROOKERY BLUES.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Another entertaining book by Hassler., Jan 24 1999
By brianw1@worldnet.att.net (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews
I again enjoyed the charactors in Hassler's books. As stated in an earlier review the plots are not riveting, but Hassler's books are not about plots, they are about the charactors. I have enjoyed every book I have read by Hassler and look forward to reading the few I have not yet read. I also grew up in northern Minnesota and can identify with the area, customs, etc. of that part of the world.
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4.0 out of 5 stars A real chuckle for anyone in academia, Aug 26 1998
By A Customer
Oh, to be in Bemidji or anyplace north of the Continental Divide (the one in Minnesota). This book is especially enjoyable for those who have spent their formative years growing up in the frozen environs depicted in Hassler's novels. Of course, the suits in Administration might be offended by Hassler's satire, but for most of us this book is loaded with great humor - watching the humanities chair pursue a garbage truck to recover a revealing photo or learning how to calm down a lustful golden retreiver. Even better, we learn how not to improve a student's taste in poetry! After spending the summer grading college entrance essays, this book provided me some real comic relief.
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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle and heart-warming character study
When most books feature disposable or interchangeable characters, it is a wonderful treat to read a book with people you can care about. Read more
Published on Jun 27 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Characters not plot
I would guess that "Rookery Blues" is one of the best pieces of writing of Jon Hassler's. Hassler is one of few authors who are able to write an interesting story about... Read more
Published on Feb 7 1998

2.0 out of 5 stars This Book is Silly
The characters in this book and their interactions are really inane. I kept reading thinking that the book was bound to get better, but if anything the plot situations got even... Read more
Published on Jan 28 1998 by MK White

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-crafted novel.
John Hassler has created a collection of interesting characters and writes about them with kindness and affection. Read more
Published on Jan 8 1998 by dedalus580@aol.com

4.0 out of 5 stars Memorable quirky characters.
One of Hassler's better books, with great character development. Amusing sub-stories keep you wanting more, even after you're done
Published on Mar 8 1997

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