坊っちゃん

This book is absolutely delightful! Our endearing narrator, 坊ちゃん, is a straightforward Tokyo boy with a fiery temper who becomes a math teacher at a rural middle school in the depths of Shikoku. He quickly finds himself at odds with the ways of his fellow teachers, the students, and the local community. This clash of personalities sets the stage for a hilarious and fast-paced comedy that I could barely put down.

The characters and story feel surprisingly modern, even though the book is from the Meiji era. However, the language can be challenging compared to more recent books. I read an annotated edition from Kadokawa with footnotes that explained older vocabulary and references, which made the experience much better. I highly recommend this edition for anyone wanting to read 坊ちゃん.

If you're looking to explore older literature, or if you already enjoy classics and want a fun read, definitely give 坊ちゃん a try!