The Crazy School

By: Cornelia Read

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Madeline Dare has traded in the drudgery of life in backwoods Syracuse, New York, for work as a teacher at Santangelo Academy, a boarding school for emotionally disturbed teenagers in the Berkshires. Behind the ornate gates of the academy, she finds a disturbing realm where students and teachers must follow the dean's bizarre therapies.

From her first day, Madeline doubts Dr. Santangelo's credibility, and she's not afraid to voice her concerns. But she quickly discovers that many of her colleagues are devout followers of the dean. When a chilling event confirms Madeline's suspicions, she feels trapped within a school full of lunatics. Shut off from the outside world, Maddie forms an unlikely alliance with a small group of rebellious students whose constant resistance to authority may be her only salvation.

©2008 Cornelia Read (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Madeline's deadpan voice, acid wit and psychological depth are the perfect counterpoint to the novel's positively Gothic plot....Caustic, gripping and distinctive - intelligent entertainment." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Ending with a dollar owed

being a former 4+ year student of DeSisto it blew my mind with being able to see every detail of the campus and being a multiple offender who frequented the girls farm it was a really cool book. some things very close to home. but thank you for writing this... OTR Laura is over and out! the last word is obviously meant for us to understand

Great narration

While deviant psychotherapeutic techniques can be fascinating regardless of plot or character development, this story is quite compelling. But what really makes it worthwhile is Huber's smooth and alluring narration. This book made me look for other books read by the same narrator.

Worth a credit

Any additional comments?

The plot was rather more convoluted than necessary, but well executed and well read. I like the protagonists, who were rather less characterized than in the previous book, but I remain interested in seeing where they go next.

A good read and well read

A good story, and about that reader -- I guess you either love her or hate her. I find her story telling exactly right for the deadpan humor of the first person fictional narrator. I loved her in the first Cornelia Read I bought, so I was not dissuaded by the negative reviews. I suggest trying the samples.

Terrible narrator and terribly boring...

First, I would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than ever hear anything by this narrator again! Worst I have ever heard. If you can make it through the first 3 hours, the story develops into something. It's not fabulous, don't waste your time listening, go to the library and flip through it, you'll be done in about 2 hours. I'm glad I didn't read the first one, and now I definately won't bother.