Author, Poet, Photographer
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A thoroughly enjoyable Education - Written from the Author's point of view (that of the only sane teacher in the school), Education is a quick paced and insightful account of life in a comprehensive school. I learnt loads about what it must be like to be a teacher in today's world and I do hope it's not all true! A brilliant read, would highly recommend. H. Robson-Burrell England
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So true it's unbelievable - Having been to (obviously), and worked in, a comprehensive school I can safely say that this book pretty accurately and hilariously sums up the way schools work. TV programs like Waterloo Road and Hope < Glory are good in their own way, but they're not a patch on 'Education, Edukation, Edukashun'... Whether you work in schools or not, I highly recommend reading this!
James Marshall - Llantwit Major, Wales, UK
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Brilliant Book - I loved this book. It reminded me a bit of my own time in school, especially the bit about trainer permission slips, we had those at my school! All of the characters in the book are scarily very believable, even if they are slightly mad. It was interesting to see inside the mind of a teacher and I loved reading about all the hilarious school disasters, especially the school trip that was mistaken for a kidnapping! This book was quite fast paced and I finished it very quickly. A very fun read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a laugh.
K Iles - Worcester, England
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Excellent, excelunt, escilint - What an enjoyable read- the book by mr Rainsford moves quickly and hilariously from page to page- you almost feel like you know the characters described- I couldnt put it down and read it all in one sitting- it was very very funny. The style is easy to follow and the characters interact very well - Simon Moore seemed to be a particularly interesting character- maybe a sequel with him as the star? An excellent read and well worth spending time with- the minutes fly by- on the pulse and an interesting and excellent account of a fictitious school. What can I say buy it and enjoy- brilliant, briliunt brileeent!
Dr J-M. Alter - Swansea, Wales
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Great first novel - An acerbic and witty account of the teaching profession. I wondered if it was in any way autobiographical?
Geraint Evans - Cardiff
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Thoroughly enjoyable read - One of the first books in ages which I have read non-stop, with some absolutely genuine laugh out load moments. Having not set foot in a school for nearly 20 years, it provided some scary flash back moments to all those years ago...and clearly shows that even/especially the education system hasn't escaped the bureaucratic idiocy of the world we live in!
Libcat - London England
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This book certainly lives up to the publishers description. It's an hilarious story, very entertaining and well written. Anyone who has been to school or taught in a school cannot fail to identify with its characters. It was a laugh out loud read, and one which you just have to share with others.
Jane K Jones - Cardiff
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I've just finished reading James Rainsford's book for the second time. Aside from the humour and the ascerbic wit of an author who clearly knows and understands our educational system there is clearly a man who feels deeply about our children and the future that decent education can afford them. He rants about the inadequacies of the system, the pettiness and the poor management which eventually lead to the disenchantment of not only the pupils but the good teachers who genuinely are trying to make a difference. A brilliant, funny read but with a serious message.
J Clarke - South Hams
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A rip roaring read - This is a must for any teacher - primary or secondary. The story is based in a fictional Welsh secondary school and is the tale of a teacher in his final year before retirement. It is an hilarious jaunt through a school year filled with sex education lessons, the end of year prom, the school trip that nearly ended in a disaster and of course an inspection! Each chapter is a story in itself and so allows you to pick up and put down at will (although I bet most of you won't put it down until you have finished it!. Even as a primary school teacher I could relate to SO many of the tales - buy it, you will not be disappointed!
R Morrison
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Forget Waterloo Road, this book was hysterical. Once you get past the first few chapters where the author makes some political comments, this book becomes a real page turner and with side splitting plots and characters to boot. I think this hilarious school story will appeal to anyone who has ever been to a school or taught in one... and thats just about everyone!
B. Bell - UK
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James Rainsford with his book Education, Edukation, Edukashun delivers on the promise of an amusing and entertaining read. At the same time the book identifies some of the serious problems facing modern education systems. In the book, the fictional Head of Year Dave Falconer after 38 years in the British education system recounts some of the memorable highlights of his last four years in teaching. These events deal with the infliction (on staff and students) of the latest educational trends for improvement and reform by an administration that has achieved the Peter Principle; the spilling over of societal issues of drugs and violence, etc. into the schools; the traditional issues for children who are 12-17 years old, such as raging hormones, bullies, etc.; and a staff that is frequently unsupported and left to survive the best that they can. The situations, which the main character Dave relates, are universal in their nature to many schools worldwide. The book is thought-provoking, entertaining and worth the time to read."
ETT - USA
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As a retired Headteacher I found this a brilliantly written book on many levels. It is a forceful comment on our educational system. A very funny novel with superb characters who I am sure have evolved from Mr. Rainsford's experience and a wonderful read as each chapter is a story in itself. Beautifully written I love Mr.Rainsford's humour. This would be an excellent book for a Book Club or for older school pupils to discuss. I'm looking forward to the next novel.
JA Robbins - UK
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An excellent read for the summer, as either a teacher or student there is enough in here that would make you look back with fond memories of your time at school, and more than enough that will make you remember that "School Days" really are the best days of your life. Well written with a strong narrative, an individual theme in each chapter gives a clear view of what life was like in this one school and the views on the management and bureaucracy of one (I am guessing) ex-teacher.
SL Jones - UK
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Couldn't put it down - As a secondary school teacher, it is reassuring to know that you are not alone in having had to deal with staff and students similar to those in this book! The scenarios are described with healthy doses of dry humour, cynicism and comical detail - it did make me laugh out loud! Very funny and easy to read - thoroughly enjoyed it.
R Quandelle - France
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All the unsolicited comments below are from writers who have a book on the Harper Collins Authonomy website. I hope their opinions will inspire you to come and meet 'Layla' for yourself.
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An almost flawless piece of British eccentricity, this is beautifully written and goes off in wonderfully weaved tangents of comic gold-dust. The characterisation is beautiful and the sheer depravity of the sex manages to be both erotic and hilarious at the same time - the most difficult feat of all to pull-off. Layla's victims, be they hideous child trolls, or nasty childrens' party magicians, are a wonderful bunch of grotesques.In the end though, it is the writing here which is so accomplished. The best Authonomy books make it all look so very, very easy - the literary equivalents of Sinatra's voice. This is most certainly amongst them and stands as a very accomplished work.
Steve Carter. Author of: 'Love, Sex and Tesco's finest Cava.'
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The Incredible Layla Moon is an effervescent, sardonic and irreverent fantasy tale for adults. The mood is dry, tongue-in-cheek and humorously impious and increasingly erotic. The prose is exceptionally well crafted and polished, displaying a powerful fluency and command of the written word.
Robert Davidson. Author of: 'The Tuzla Run.'
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The names you give your characters and the maternity home and other establishments are enough to split your sides, and the tears of laughter have to be wiped away from your eyes before you can carry on reading. Once dry again you keep scrolling down, entranced by the impeccable syntax and rhythm of the prose. This roller-coaster of a read is breath-taking in its richness of word-power, description, humour and fast moving action. Every sentence is a gem. The comedy, black humour and the casually thrown in erotic references are mixed in with astute characterisation and exquisite detail of place and setting. I would like to curl up on a soft sofa with this book and a large slab of chocolate and a bottle of pink champagne, and not move until I finish it.
Sheila Mary Taylor. Author of: 'Pinpoint.'
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A tale for the present. Well written comedic brilliance. The subtleness of your pen as it seeks to define the eccentricities of your subjects is divine. The sex would make a 'madam' blush, that is if she found time between bouts of uproarious laughter. I love it!
Phil McQuinen. Author of: 'Danny Murphy.'
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I read up to Chapter 4. It's a very astounding piece of work. The detail is immense, and I couldn't help but see the story happening. The whole time I was thinking conflicting thoughts about the characters, the story and many other things that were happening, wondering whether or not to be excited, aroused, or just plain scared. It's flawless, beautifully organised and most of all, a GREAT read. I hope to see it on the shelf very soon.
Rachelle. Author of : 'To Save Ella.'
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I hope I don't come on too strong when I say I F-ing love this book. I could see myself picking up this book in my local bookstore, reading it straight through, and then forcing all my acquaintances to read it also. Your voice and wit in this story is remarkable and I would put it the leagues of Terry Pratchett and Gregory Maguire, it's that good.
Kayla Shaw.
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I am awed by the author's ability to flow his prose from one time to another, one character and generation to another so flawlessly as to not interrupt the reader's digestion of this superior book. My congratulations.
Lenore. Author of: 'Surviving the Seaweed.'
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If you're not easily shocked, why not come and meet The Incredible Layla Moon for yourself?
Here's the link: The Incredible Layla Moon