Gentlemen and Players
Gentlemen and Players
Book Brief
422
Novel • Fiction
•
Horror & Suspense•
British LiteratureEngland • 2000s
2005
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris reveals the unsettling events at the prestigious St. Oswald's School through dual narratives: veteran educator Roy Straitley and a new teacher with a hidden identity and vengeful agenda. As unusual incidents escalate, the school community unravels, leading to shocking revelations and a quest for retribution that threatens the institution's future. The story includes themes of suicide and wrongful accusations.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Challenging
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
22,986 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Joanne Harris's Gentlemen and Players is highly praised for its intricate, suspenseful plot and well-developed characters. The novel’s dual narrative maintains tension, engaging readers throughout. However, some critics note the slower pacing in parts and predictability in the resolution. Overall, it’s a compelling read that deftly blends mystery and psychological drama.
Who Should Read Gentlemen and Players?
Fans of psychological thrillers with intricate plots and darkly engaging characters will relish Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris. Ideal for admirers of Donna Tartt's The Secret History and Tana French's In the Woods, this novel appeals to readers who appreciate intellectual suspense and cunning narrative twists.
22,986 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Gentlemen and Players is set in the fictional St. Oswald's Grammar School for Boys, a setting that Joanne Harris vividly brings to life and which she revisits in her later works, creating a deeply atmospheric backdrop for the story.
The novel intricately weaves themes of class conflict and revenge, characteristic of Harris's ability to combine psychological tension with literary elegance.
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Joanne Harris incorporated her personal experiences as a teacher into the novel, adding an authentic touch to the portrayal of school life and classroom dynamics.
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422
Novel • Fiction
•
Horror & Suspense•
British LiteratureEngland • 2000s
2005
YA
18+ years
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