KIRKBY : The Life and the Loves


I bought this book last year during my trip to KL. I went to Boders Book store in KL to search for a book. Suddently, I found this book in the educational book shelves. I took it and read the summary and found it was interesting. Without delay I bought the book which costed me about RM 29.90. I think it's worth the price because the book has an interesting story line and it's really encouraging me as a trainee teacher.


SYNOPSIS OF THE NOVEL
(Adapted from the synopsis of Kirkby: The Life and the Loves a fascinating novel by SHAARI ISA)

As the title of the book suggests, this novel tells the story of the life at Kirkby College, a college established by the Federation of Malaya to train its teachers in England from 1952 to 1962. In this sense the College is unique in the annals of educational history. This novel is a work of fiction set within the framework of facts which are described in great detail. It is a fascinating story of the loves and conflicts weaved within the life of the students in the College who lived within an island of diverse Malaysan cultures surrounded by the sea of British life. The book is also a historical document because it describes the curricular and extra curricular activities, also the ctual staff and physical facilities of the Colleege at that time. Dr. Shaari has an eduacational background having been trained as a teacher at Kirkby then went on to become a professioanl accountant. He has written several novels and a set of short stories in Malay and several academic books on accounting mainly in English. Like all of Shaari's creative works, this novel focuses on human relation in society. It portrays that human emotion and life cut accross all cultures, races and boundaries.


CONCLUSION

It's an interesting novel. I recommend this book to all trainee teachers. This book will develop your understanding of real life teaching.