Some books are meant to stick with us, to remind us that even in the darkest times there will always be somebody brave enough to light a light. This is the premise for The Teacher (Original title: La Maestra) the novel with which José Antonio Lucero conquered the hearts of thousands of readers. Now, the author has followed it up with The Student (Original title: El Alumno), a deeply heartfelt, necessary and bright sequel.
The Student is set in September of 1955. Roque, the troubled kid that Lali, the protagonist from The Teacher, saved from a futureless life, is now a young teacher determined to give back what he was gifted with: a chance. His first post is at a rural school in the mountains of Seville and his vocation, his innovative teaching methods, and his desire to awaken young minds soon clashes with the rigid structure of the Francoist system. Roque will have to fight not only to teach, but also to survive in a place where thinking differently can be dangerous.
Under the appearance of a historical novel, The Student is a powerful story about the love for teaching, about wounds can fester in silence, about painful secrets and courage. Because Roque carries a past that will not let him go. A past that pushes him to search for what was taken from him as a child. Through his search, the reader dives into a deeply moving, heartwarming journey that leaves a mark.
José Antonio Lucero, a high school teacher himself and a passionate history communicator, writes from within the classroom and from the heart. His experience as a teacher gives authenticity to his stories, which are filled with details only somebody that has experienced the world of education from within can convey. In The Student, there’s tension, tenderness, hope, and an unquestionable truth: that sometimes teaching can be the bravest action.
For those who loved The Teacher, this novel is a natural continuation, and at the same time, a story that stands on its own. For those who haven’t read the previous book, The Student is the perfect gateway into a narrative universe that is honest, committed, and profoundly human.
An essential read for those who believe in the transformative power of books and of teachers.
