Tales out of School, by Shirley Ann Howard was quite a surprise when I received it. At 364 pages, it was longer than I’d expected. And the switches between genres in different scenes surprised me, as did the switches between tenses. But it’s a book about an English teacher, so I’m quite convinced all the switches are perfectly done, as are the ingredients for pears in brandy sauce, the poundage of live lobsters, the cost and rarity of unspoiled coastal properties, and the mating rituals of rabbits (including Latin name since after all, Sandra’s boyfriend is a high-flying scientist).

So I guess it’s a novel about a creative English teacher in love with a meticulously factual and well-organized PhD scholar. Or maybe it’s about the well-off, well-educated English teacher trying to inspire her inner-city students. Or it’s a family drama with sick father, disapproving mother and rebellious only-child daughter. Or it’s a rich family interacting with an even richer one, and romance and beauty on the way.

But oddly enough, all the ingredients really do mix together in an entertaining whole, with laugh-out-loud moments, deep pathos and annoying disagreements, all seasoned with love. The dialog is absolutely pitch-perfect. The detailed descriptions are amazing. The school lessons are educationally and emotionally delightful and inspiring. And the novel is one to pick up over and again, enjoying a leisurely visit with friends until the tale is done. (Actually, there’s some parts that are singularly un-leisurely. You’ll find them. You’ll not want to put it down.)

I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this book after the first few scenes. But after the last I was truly glad I’d read it, and pleased that the author had shared her insights into more than one world I’ll never see, and more than one type of love. ( )