intro-friendly novels?

[Rachel Reynolds]

I frequently read passages to my students from _Going Home to Teach_ by 
Anthony C. Winkler.  Here's the Amazon.com link that has some really great 
reviews that can give you the flavor of the book.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9766101523/sr=8-5/qid=1151425275/ref=sr_1_5/102-2833271-2199338?ie=UTF8

Winkler grew up in Kingston, Jamaica as a poor Hungarian immigrant.  In 
this book, he returns home with an American wife, professional success and 
a college degree to participate in one of Michael Manley's educational 
development programs in the countryside.  There are lovely scenes with 
students, with administrators, and with people on the streets in Jamaica in 
which he negotiates his way into holding authority as an authentic Jamaican 
man by code-switching between the Standard American English he has learned 
in college, and the Kingston speech with which he grew up.  My students 
respond deeply to the passages -- they are funny and sweet and bring home 
class/race/educational difference in a quick snapshot.

I wouldn't recommend assigning the whole novel however, since there are 
some slightly sexy parts/domestic drama parts that 19 year olds wouldn't 
understand or would be confused/grossed out by. (Winkler contrasts his 
broken childhood home with his breaking up marriage to the brokenness of 
the Jamaican school system). Winkler also uses pastiche beautifully, but it 
can easily be (mis)interpreted as stereotype or condescension, especially 
towards Jamaican students.

Rachel

At 06:04 PM 6/22/2006 -0400, samuels at anthro.umass.edu wrote:
>Hi. I would like to use a novel that highlights language and culture 
>issues in my
>undergraduate introduction class, and would love to hear any suggestions. I'm
>fairly familiar with the science fiction end of things (Babel-17, 
>Languages of
>Po, The Inheritors, Riddley Walker, Snowcrash), and the classics that 
>intersect
>with that set (Clockwork Orange, 1984). Any others that people have used 
>or would
>think of using? Something that emphasizes language socialization (or
>resocialization) would be nice.
>
>I'll be happy to compile a bibliography if people contact me off-list.
>
>Thanks!
>
>All best,
>
>David

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Rachel R. Reynolds
Assistant Professor
Director of Graduate Programs
Department of Culture & Communication
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 895-0498
rrr at drexel.edu