---
product_id: 117062907
title: "The Topeka School: A Novel Hardcover – October 1, 2019"
brand: "ben lerner"
price: "€ 35.01"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.com.cy/products/117062907-the-topeka-school-a-novel-hardcover-october-1-2019
store_origin: CY
region: Cyprus
---

# The Topeka School: A Novel Hardcover – October 1, 2019

**Brand:** ben lerner
**Price:** € 35.01
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Topeka School: A Novel Hardcover – October 1, 2019 by ben lerner
- **How much does it cost?** € 35.01 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.cy](https://www.desertcart.com.cy/products/117062907-the-topeka-school-a-novel-hardcover-october-1-2019)

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- ben lerner enthusiasts

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## Description

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    very interesting, deep to consider
  

*by L***E on Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022*

Overall a thought provoking read. Interesting presentation of inner psychology and formative experiences. At times, the time frame was confusing and I wondered just what the story was even about, but overall the formation of one’s selfhood came clearly through.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    An Intriguing Read
  

*by T***K on Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2019*

This book was certainly a challenging read. If you are looking for a quick, easy read, this is not that book (buy it anyway for when you are wanting something with more depth). This book seemed like it was one long run-on sentence and had a non-linear time line and switches between four interrelated characters; despite this or maybe in spite of this, this novel was a must-read in my opinion and tries to help make sense of the country we now find ourselves in.As I read this book, I have to admit that I wondered how much of it would make sense unless you grew up in Northeast Kansas during the 90s. Likewise, unless you were a Debater or Forensics "nerd" in high school, I wondered how much someone would understand the references to these activities that were discussed throughout the book. Like the author, I grew up in NE Kansas during the 90s (I am ever-so slightly older) and was a frequent visitor to Topeka, so a lot of references were familiar to me. (As a HS Forensics participant, and having had one child (so far) be a Debater, I was very familiar with the numerous Debate and Forensics references). Invariably, we saw protests from Fred Phelps' "church."  Most of us, even my ultra-conservative mother, were appalled by the protests, but much like the book states, the objections to Fred Phelps had little to do with the demeaning of the LGBTQ community. While this book touched on a lot of issues, one of the most profound moments of this book for me revolved around the issue of Fred Phelps: Why were the citizens of Topeka (or anywhere) so offended by him when they agreed with him? (Please note: I do not agree with Fred Phelps or his ideologies.)I never imagined that I would receive parenting insight with this book, but as a mom to two boys, the issue of toxic masculinity is a recurrent concern and is something that weighs on my heart. I do not want my boys to think it is acceptable to treat girls/women as only sex objects (as was my experience growing up in the 90s and even still now, ugh!) nor in any way inferior, yet I do not want them to feel that they are somehow inferior or invalidated because they are male.And now, I feel compelled to address the, ahem, elephant in the room. This novel tried to provide a backstory for how Donald Trump happened. Yes, I still live in Kansas, but I can assure you there are cities/areas in this "red" state that are liberal (or purple), much like the family portrayed in this novel. (I would argue that we do not have "red" or "blue" states, we have concentrated areas in each state that lean politically one way and they are better defined by rural, urban, suburban.) The subject of Donald Trump and how anyone can support him is certainly a compelling psychological examination, no matter which side you are on. I think this book makes some interesting conclusions that show how some of this absurd current circumstance even became possible. Which brings it back to the conclusion about Fred Phelps: Why are they offended when they agree? Yikes.So, go find a quiet, comfy space, grab a cup of tea (or coffee), and allot yourself chunk of time to try to read this gem of a book in a single setting (or 2). It's well worth your time.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 3.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Problems Here
  

*by T***H on Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020*

When I read Mr. Lerner’s work, I often find myself thinking, “I shouldn’t really like this book, but I do.”  His stylistic choices and his sometimes strange mixing of fact and fiction are techniques that usually turn me off.  And yet, I’ve really enjoyed his previous novels.  This time, however, I don’t feel the same.  I don’t really like it.I admire it.  Ironically, in The Topeka School, Mr. Lerner uses one of my favorite approaches to storytelling, which is telling the same story from multiple points of view.  He manages this very well; and yet, it didn’t cover this novel’s flaws.First, as a New York City resident, I was very distracted by his anachronistic use of Duccio’s Madonna and Child at the Met.  Every time I go to the Met, I stop to look at it, and I remember when the Met acquired it—or I thought I did.  When he first mentions the painting, I actually stopped reading and went to look up when it came to New York to make sure I wasn’t losing my mind.  In the acknowledgments at the end of the book he actually notes his misuse of the painting but says it “can stand for the unstable mixture of fact and fiction”.  The simple fact that he had to mention it here makes me believe he somehow knows the risk was a mistake.  Especially when he can create a scene like the one at the Hippo Playground which is a place I’ve taken my own children (my son loves hippos), and have it ring so true.Second, and also troubling to me, is how, despite his masterly prose giving him fantastic ability to create engaging scenes, I finished the novel feeling that I had gained no deep knowledge about any of the characters.  Though there are moments from this book that I feel will stay with me—the Hippo Playground, Jane’s internal monologue as she watches Adam debate, Darren’s walk to Lawrence—they only remain moments.  I can’t picture Jane, Adam or Darren in my mind as real people.In some ways, the writing here is so powerful that I want to rate the book higher.  Still, I sense this book is one that I will eventually leave behind.  Since the characters seem vague, their story, despite its possibilities, comes across as simplistic: growing up with odd and difficult parents, adultery, betrayal.  It should be more, but it isn’t.

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*Product available on Desertcart Cyprus*
*Store origin: CY*
*Last updated: 2026-02-17*