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Almost everyone has read at least one “boarding school book.” On the classic side, you have coming-of-age stories such as “Catcher In the Rye.” More recently, you have J.K. Rowling’s classic “Harry Potter” series.

These books not only happen in boarding schools, but they share a similar theme, that of a coming-of-age story in which the central character transitions from childhood to adulthood.

In Taylor Antrim’s debut novel, “The Headmaster Ritual,” the author takes that classic plot and setting that has worked so well and tweaks it. “Headmaster” explores the coming of age novel from the perspective of the schoolteacher rather than the adolescent.

Antrim provides a character who is already an adult, and, as such, avoids many of the more cliché aspects of this genre. “Headmaster’s” protagonist, Dyer Martin – a young teacher – has the task of conquering his clouded mind rather than a bully or rude teacher.

Antrim has created elaborate and well-rounded characters that are deeply complex. One could argue they’re even more complex than the average expectations of boarding school books. These characters experience a series of disasters ranging from divorce to a parent’s battle with Alzheimers, all against a backdrop of love and sexual desire.

In “Headmaster,” the plot is scarcely relevant to these complex characters. Amidst the plethora of subplots and beautifully written character arcs, the story almost seems to have disappeared between the lines. The major plot (if that’s what you want to call it) revolves around a mock U.N. that Martin must advise, under a radical left-wing headmaster.

The plot seems to cheat the characters that Antrim creates. With such four-dimensional characters, a plot that the reader hardly thinks about when reading is unfulfilling.

Notwithstanding, “Headmaster Ritual” is a refreshing read. It is a boarding school book for adults because of its many layers, not only moral. The main character’s goal to achieve fulfillment resonates with our desire for satisfaction in our education and occupation. Indeed, “Headmaster Ritual” marks a rewarding future in the literary world for Antrim. Booklist has marked “The Headmaster Ritual” as the top-10 first novels of 2007.