A review of 'The House That Jack Built’, by Irene Truman, a critical reviewer for the Bronte Gazette.

-
The House That Jack Built | Fiction: Historical / adventure
"Much of this novel is semi-autobiographical. John Butler constantly cared about keeping a written account of his life with the intention of making it available to the public. An admirer of Charlotte Bronte John was particularly inspired by her novel ‘Jane Eyre’ the life of a 19th century governess. Jack Forest, the main protagonist in ‘The House That Jack Built’ finds adventure, self fulfilment and love whilst working as a teacher in 20thcentury post war Britain, as Jane Eyre did within the classrooms of 1840’s England.
Jack is creative, caring and passionate. In spite of being left behind when his colleagues leave for war service he takes the opportunity to train as a teacher, facing battles within rural and urban classroom walls.
Jack’s teaching career starts soon after the end of the second world war with its rationing and coming to terms with peacetime.
Out of the blue he is offered a chance to go on a trip to the Cocos Islands with a group of self sufficient independent minded adventurers. It seems a risky offer in true ‘Robinson Crusoe’ style and in spite of many warnings and forebodings Jack bravely jumps in where others would fear to tread. The trip becomes a journey in search of treasure with danger, excitement and romance along the way…..’such as dreams are made of’. It ends with a sickening jolt back to reality!
Many of us will find something familiar within this book. We go through life wanting to know what the future will bring and perhaps regret missed opportunities.
Jack however ‘grasps the nettle’ and doesn’t have regrets. He was a good teacher; he inspired his students to do well and left his schools better places.
John Butler died in November 2012 having lived a life encouraging us to take a look within ourselves, be honest and not afraid to consider this question……’is destiny mapped out for us all……`
So, after reading this book there is homework to be done. It is a heartwarming tale full of fun, excitement, information and is personal to some of us."
Irene Truman

*Irene Truman has been a member of the Bronte Society for fifteen years and has written critical reviews for the Bronte Gazette. She is a professional teacher for musicians and a steward and tour guide at Harewood House.

Paperback | Waterstones | Amazon UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector by Bryony Allen

-
Image
A teacher’s creation! This is a highly enjoyable witty fictional book centred around school life and the dreaded Ofsted Inspection. The fictional Beaver's Brook Primary School had received a justifiably scathing report . . . The fragile lives of the teachers are held open to scrutiny and ridicule. Their hopes and aspirations crumble beneath a diatribe of no-holds-barred mockery, in which love, ambition, jealousy, passion, guilt and innocence collide - with disastrous consequences. Have you read this book? Share your thought here. Find out more: Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector
Read more

Painted Ghosts - Three Colourful Nifty Tales

-
Image
  T hree women head from England to modern day India; each on a personal quest. Daphne revisits the Ajanta caves to re-find the artist in her that she had to abandon as a teenager. Has she the strength to face the painted ghosts of her past? Stella wanders the sands of Goa with her estranged sister in the hope of reconciliation. Can the celebration of an ancient myth at the Garden of Izzat Baig heal the rift? Ria is drawn to the snowy heights of the Himalayas to find a long lost twin, but becomes embroiled in a family dispute in a home with a view of glass mountains. And will she ever find her twin? …Find out more…visit book web page www.pneumasprings.co.uk/product/painted-ghosts/   “Colourful shades of Indian life in three nifty tales” …publishedbestsellers.com
Read more

Earning a Crust - Logic doesn’t come into it

-
Image
Fascinating and engaging autobiography of career after Royal Air Force service. By Derek Rosser The author’s literary efforts covering his experiences as a National Serviceman in the RAF in the 1950s (A Reluctant Recruit) generated such a favourable reception, so much so that he embarked on a second, more or less true, account of his life as a typical boy growing up in the thirties and forties (Call Me Valentine). This is his third book, completing the trilogy. It is the account of what happened to him after leaving the Royal Air Force; it is the story of a long, and mainly happy, interesting working career. The author Derek Rosser says: “For the best part of forty years I was engaged in trying to earn enough money to keep body and soul together. Some of it was enjoyable, some of it was frustrating and some of it was downright misery….” …Find out more… ‘Earning a Crust’, an entertaining read! “A fascinating autobiography” …publishedbestsellers.com
Read more