39 pages • 1 hour read
Ben LernerThe Topeka School
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Topeka School by Ben Lerner follows Adam, a talented teenage debater, and his psychologist parents, Jonathan and Jane, who work at a renowned Topeka institution. The narrative alternates between their perspectives and includes third-person sections about Darren, an intellectually disabled student. The novel’s plot centers on Adam's debate competitions, family dynamics, and Darren’s struggles with bullying and violence. The story addresses themes of mental health, relationships, and socio-political issues.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ben Lerner’s The Topeka School intricately explores American masculinity, identity, and political discourse through a young protagonist. Reviews praise its lyrical prose and intellectual depth. Critics, however, note its dense narrative and abrupt transitions. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read for those interested in language and psychology.
Who Should Read The Topeka School?
A reader who enjoys The Topeka School by Ben Lerner likely appreciates introspective literary fiction, complex character development, and sociopolitical themes. Fans of Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Rachel Cusk's Outline trilogy, who seek a nuanced exploration of American life and identity, will find this novel compelling.