AM: I think the younger group gets out of it that's it a good story, and would need guidance to really get more out it. High school kids would, I hope, be amused by the controlling metaphors in the book, and the symbolism.
For teachers and adults, I hope they see some self-recognition in the Sues and Karens. For the teachers of the world, the good ones and the less good ones, I'd hope that it forces us to look at ourselves; it gives us the opportunity to reevaluate.
But all the while, the story is paramount, it's the most important thing.
THC: Was it hard writing from the perspective of a thirteen-year old boy?
AM: My first publisher actually wanted me to rewrite it in the third person, thinking it wouldn't work in first. I listened carefully to what this pro had to say, but I ultimately felt confident that I knew more about kids than she did.
Try writing something exactly the way thirteen year olds speak and hand it to someone. People won't read it! I first wrote it exactly as kids speak, and my wife took one look and told me it was awful! The trick is to make it seem like something a kid would say. If you look carefully, it's not in fact written the way they speak, and that's really hard.
THC: What does this book represent to you?
AM: Oh gosh, it's plain good fun. I'm startled that it happened. I'm happy to have a novel without people laughing (chuckles). I feel lucky to have had the time and good fortune to get this thing finished. It’s taken the place of a midlife crisis.
THC: Well, I'd say it's a pretty good midlife crisis to have. I mean, at least you're not off climbing mountains or anything.
AM: I'm actually leaving tomorrow for the Himalayas.
THC: Oh.
_Hank_ is Montgomery's first published novel, the first in “The Gunpowder Trilogy.” The next two installments will focus on members of Hank Collins’ family.
About the Author:
Beginning in July 2002, Arch Montgomery will be the Headmaster of Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina, where he will live with his wife and two sons.
Before settling on teaching in 1985, Mr. Montgomery served four years in the United States Army and subsequently practiced law in Baltimore. For eight years after that, he taught history, coached football, lacrosse, and swimming, supervised a girl’s dormitory, and directed the summer school at St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island.
From 1992-2001, he served as the Headmaster for Baltimore’s most prestigious boy’s academy, the Gilman School, which was significantly improved and revitalized in all areas under his tenure. He initiated 70-minute classes for upperclassmen, instituted an interdisciplinary curriculum, lavished attention and resources on the middle school, revitalized the lower school curriculum, and took an enthusiastic part in a lengthy centennial celebration and successful capital campaign.
Mr. Montgomery is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law (where he made law review), The Monterey Language School in Russian, the University of Pennsylvania (where he was nominated to be a Rhodes scholar), and Westminster School of Simsbury, Connecticut.