School Is Hell

I've always had a love hate relationship with school. I LOVE LEARNING despite enough years of school that I should be a doctor. Groening hit the nail on the head though, that school is about everything but learning. Conformity is king. It kind of makes me sick. I have a degree in art education, taught school for one semester. Love teaching, love the kids. Hate the system. I don't want to go to "school" the rest of my life. Ironically, I think I picked this up at the end of that semester. I just picked it up and read it from cover to cover a few years later. A wicked gift for someone in education considering a change of career...His actual diary from elementary school should be "required reading" for anyone in education.

Matt Groening is right on the money with his take on school. His sarcastic treatment of the subject is both hilarious and true. For all Simpsons fans, this book, and his other Life in Hell books are necessary reading material. While this collection of comic strips was written well before his Simpsons days, the show's humor is present over each page. You will find yourself laughing out loud constantly, and it is just as funny when you decide to read it again. If you disliked school at any point in your life, this book is for you. A brilliant, witty, and hilarious book that will be enjoyed for years. I strongly urge you to check it out.

Like all the other "Life in Hell" books, "School is Hell" is a hilarious satire; in this case the target is education at all levels. I can't write much praise that hasn't already been written. The "Hell" series has much of the sly wit of Groening's more mainstream "Simpsons" TV series, but is presented in more blunt, less subtle manner. Though characters are drawn simply (often generally described as "abstract"), the "Hell" series is among the most realistic and honest post modern creations.In "School is Hell", Groening takes us through the awkward, difficult experiences of school and growing up familiar to everyone in an accurate, funny, fatalistic manner. In this context, Groening's unrefined technique actually accentuates his stark words. The underlying theme of all his "Hell" books is that life isn't meaningful and we're just deceiving are ourselves when we try to think that it is. Though this view isn't exactly an epiphany, Groening is brilliant because he manages to make such a stark, potentially depressing realization comical. Here's an example of Groening's poignant humor: After college graduation, Binky (protagonist) receives congratulations for, "spending your whole life jumping through petty academic hurdles for meaningless rewards. Now, you will embark on a career in a massive beaurocracy where nothing you do or say will ever matter." This book is filled with such funny moments that resonant with painful honesty.All of Groening's "Life in Hell" books are an entertaining read; just as funny and painfully honest. It's this unapologetic honesty that gives this series it's emotional resonance. Most humorous works offer fleeting humor that is only initially funny (if at all). Though the "Hell" books aren't exactly deep, much like the Simpsons, Groening's humor conveys an emotional resonance which only becomes more appealing after repeated readings. "School is Hell" is the best of what it is (what ever it may be).

School Is Hell is the kind of book you can flip thru and say to yourself-'Hey! I've been there!' What M.G. describes fits the personal feelings of almost any kid, teenager, or young adult about their education. It's a book that helps you laugh at yourself while laughing at the comics! I HIGHLY RECOMEND!

Groening's humor and irresistably cute bunnies, combined with sarcasm about our time and extremely accurate interpretations of school, make School is Hell terrific fun. The left-wing undertones are a big bonus, if you're into that kind of thing.