The Abstinence Teacher
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Tom Perrotta |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Publisher | St. Martin's Press |
Publication date | October 16, 2007 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 358 pp (1st edition, hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0-312-35833-4(1st edition, hardcover) |
| OCLC | 138340958 |
| 813/.54 22 | |
| LC Class | PS3566.E6948 A66 2007b |
The Abstinence Teacheris a 2007 novel by American authorTom Perrotta.It tells the story of Ruth Ramsey, a divorcedsexual educationteacher who lives in suburbanNew Jerseyand comes into conflict with the town's conservative population. According to Perrotta, it is "all about sex education and theculture wars."[1]He was inspired to write the novel after reading of the influence ofevangelicalvoters on the2004 presidential election,stating, "I did feel somewhat inadequate as a novelist, just like I'd missed something huge happening in this country. I really did set out to kind of investigate that world." The novel also touches on other issues such ashomophobiaandsexismin the suburban setting.[2]
Critical reception
[edit]Kirkus Reviewscalled the book "ruefully humorous and tenderly understanding of human folly."[3]Publishers Weeklywrote thatThe Abstinence Teacher"is rife with Perrotta’s subtle and satiric humor."[4]
Film adaptation
[edit]Warner Independent Picturespurchased the film rights to the novel in September 2006,[5]more than a year before it was published. As of October 2007, Perrotta was working on the screenplay,[6]which, according to Perrotta's official site, was completed in 2008. The planned movie was originally supposed to be co-directed byLittle Miss SunshinedirectorsJonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.[5]The project was taken over byThe Kids Are All RightdirectorLisa Cholodenko.
References
[edit]- ^Bancroft, Colette."From page to screen",St. Petersburg Times,2007-01-14.
- ^Rich, Motoko."A Writer's Search for the Sex in Abstinence",The New York Times,2007-10-14. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
- ^"THE ABSTINENCE TEACHER | Kirkus Reviews"– via www.kirkusreviews.com.
- ^"The Abstinence Teacher".Publishers Weekly.Retrieved16 December2020.
- ^abLaPorte, Nicole, and Pamela McClintock."'Sunshine' duo in talks for next feature: Dayton, Faris may adapt 'Abstinence Teacher'",Variety,2006-12-06. Retrieved on 2007-07-07.
- ^Schwartz, Missy."The Q&A: Tom Perrotta: His Novel Take on Suburban Life",Entertainment Weekly,2007-10-15. Retrieved on 2007-10-20.
External links
[edit]- Book summaryon Perrotta's official web site.
- Early book reviewon Readjunk.com
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