It’s that time of year again.
Children groan and parents cheer as another year of school begins!
In fact, at this very moment, as I’m writing this post, I’m trying to get the last of my kids off to school for the day before I leave for work.
Maybe if he went to Hogwarts, he’d be more enthusiastic about his education. They certainly had a better school lunch!
Did you ever fantasize about being a student at a fictional school? Which speculative fiction institution would you like to attend? Or is there a school you’d hope to be expelled from if you were a student there?
As always, one random commenter with a US address wins a book or audiobook from our stacks.
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KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.
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I am sure my daughter would love anything you have.
I like the idea of university in The Name of the Wind & A Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss. Of course, as in most (if not all) universities, there are nasty politics, inequalities of resource allocation, and bullies. But also “professors” who take all aspects of their positions seriously.
I’d go to Hogwarts in a heartbeat. Or maybe I could go to college with Pamela Dean’s characters, which would obviously render me beautiful and witty. ;)
Hogwarts is my obvious choice, but I wouldn’t mind going to the school in E. Rose Sabin’s A School for Sorcery series either.
The Unseen University (?) in Anhk Morpork, although I don’t think it admits women. They have an awesome librarian!
Maybe just a tutorial Granny Weatherwax and Nanny would suffice.
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters without a doubt. That would mean I have superpowers, which would be cool because, superpowers. Right?
Hogwarts all the way! Still waiting for my letter to comes in the mail… :/ I like to tell myself there is no age minimum.
Hogwarts all the way! I like to think there is no age maximum to start your first year, so I’m still waiting for my letter to come in the mail… :/
I would definitely enjoy going to Hogwarts, Kvothe’s University or even Unseen University – I could easily pose as a man and they’d never suspect (mostly because they’d never believe that a woman would even think of posing as a man). I never enjoyed school until I went to University and then only because I could choose certain subjects and arrange my schedule the way I wanted it.
We’d be unseen at the Unseen University! (I’d mostly just hang out in the library anyway. Ook.)
Eek.
Ook!
Tough call.
The Invisible College of Mary Gentle’s Rats and Gargoyles would be one choice. Matador Villa from the Matador series would be another. And maybe after that a triple MBA (master business arts/master of black arts/master bullshit artist) at Illuminati University.
Greenlaw! from Caroline Stevermer’s A College of Magics.I
Thank you, this book is now on my to read list!
Hogwarts would probably be the most fun (save for those damn death eaters), but there’s something about Roke Island that and the Masters that is really appealing.
The University, from Pat Rothfuss’s The Name of The Wind. Because sympathy is awesome.
Definitely Hogwarts. I have had so many Hogwarts fantasies! I hope they don’t put me in Slytherin, though!
Hogwarts! The thought of entering the restricted section in the library to read what lies within makes hogwarts my first choice without doubt!
Hard to look past Hogwarts. Is that the simple secret of Harry Potter’s success? We all have to go to school, so Rowling just designed the best version of school anyone can imagine?
Maybe Kvothe’s university :)
No, nope, no thanks. I was thinking about if I had to go back to school awhile back (because of seeing a lot of patients for back to school exams) and I realized I have had more than my fill.
Maybe you need to find a powerful but cantankerous witch of the wood, or an irascible old hedge wizard, who will tutor you in the arcane arts. That way, you can make your own schedule.
Julianna, if you live in the USA, you win a book of your choice from our stacks.
Please contact me (Marion) with your choice and a US address. Happy reading!