I thought the sparrow’s note from heaven
Singing at dawn on the alder bough;
I bought him home, in his nest, at even;
He sings the song, but it cheers not now,
For I did not bring home the river and the sky.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Class of 1821
It surprises me that I haven’t actually penned a review on one of my all time favorite books. The Class written by Erich Segal is one of the rare books which I must have read at least 15 times by now, and I finished it yet again a few days back. Give me this book or Erich Segal’s other book Love Story and I can read them back to back forever. The Class is a classic book, an education on life, an inspiration on life and overall a book which remains with you. I have read this book from whence I was in 11th standard till now, and every time I have read it, I have found something new about the magic of this book. No it is not a deep philosophical book, but rather a book about everyday characters, however gifted to be Harvard Graduates.
The Class Is...
...a story of 5 individuals, totally different in their perspective towards life and their life at and after Harvard. The Class is a richly composed moving story of 5 people and their trials and tribulations in life. Its the story of individuals who will go for anything in life to achieve their dreams and fulfill them. While George takes the smart road, Jason himself for the just cause of his background.
The Class Is...
...a story of an Era of 5 people who after their life at Harvard discover that life is not as easy or real as it is in College. It is the story about Andrew Eliot who discovers his helplessness and his hopelessness at non-achievement in life. It’s the story about Danny Rossi who in his peak realizes that there are a few things you cannot fight.
The Class Is...
...a moving story of Theodre Lambros and his love. It’s a story of his trials and struggles to be the best amongst the best and serve Harvard. Its also story which spans 25 years from the day the five graduate to their 25th reunion.
The Class Is...
...a lesson on Life, for everyone who reads this book will first be transported back to his college days and life amongst it. While one may recall his daily dosage of bird watching, the other might related to what a psycho room-mate one could end up with. Still others would remember how in the deepest desire to perform well and not being able to, a individual takes a drastic step. Yes, you can all relate to it.
The Class Is...
...a story on Truth and the Courage to stand behind the truth. It explores the individual who lays up his life full of happiness and goes back to his homeland to fight the cause his generations have fought for. There he finds not only love, but his own individuality too.
The Class Is...
...a sad story of a Father who is so hopelessly lost in life that he loses touch with own children, so much so that they leave him. It’s a moving tale to realize why the father decides to give alms to every beggar on the road for just a hope.
The Class Is...
...a story on Morality and Selfishness. How high can you go? How high can you reach? Would you give up everything in your life to get there? Even yourself? The Class is a reminder that even the best schools don’t teach you to be happy with yourself.
The Class Is...
...a story of Expectations. Its a story of an individual so lost in success that the success brings about the better of him. The Class is a reminder of that individual who at his peak of his career realizes that he probably had too much of it to do anything about it.
The Class Is...
...a story about Friendship. Miles may keep you apart, but friendship won’t. It’s a story about one man’s selfless life in helping others, the others being his friends. It’s a story about one man’s efforts to get all his batch mates together for one last time.
The Class Is...
...an education on the importance of your alma mater in your life. For it teaches you that that place where you come from is the single most important factor for your future life. Its that in those 4 years that shape you for the life.
The Class Is...
...the genius pen of Erich Segal at work yet once again bringing out supremely constructed sentences and memorable dialogues. “Do you smoke?” “No. Its bad for the wind”
The Class Is...
...the genius of Erich Segal in bringing out a story so real, so emotional, so inspiring, and above all heart warming. It’s a book where you want to laugh when the characters laugh and cry when they cry too. You can’t help being one of them.
The Class Is... an Inspiration for life. To miss this book is to miss something important in life.