Tobias Wolff's Old School captivates with its eloquent prose and vivid portrayal of a 1960s prep school, delving into themes of identity and literary ambition. Critics laud the nuanced character development and profound moral questions. However, some find the plot predictable and the ending underwhelming. Overall, an evocative and thought-provoking read.

Readers who appreciate introspective, character-driven novels like A Separate Peace by John Knowles or The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger will enjoy Old School by Tobias Wolff. This novel appeals to those drawn to themes of identity, morality, and the complexities of adolescence in a preparatory school setting.

Old School by Tobias Wolff is set in a prestigious New England prep school in the early 1960s, where the unnamed narrator, a scholarship student from a working-class background, competes in literary contests judged by visiting famous authors such as Robert Frost, Ayn Rand, and Hemingway. The narrator's ambition leads him to plagiarize a short story called "Summer Dance," resulting in expulsion.

Contemplative / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Nostalgic

- Tobias Wolff's Old School was a finalist for the 2004 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, showcasing its acclaim and recognition in the literary community.
- The novel is partially inspired by Wolff's own experiences at a New England prep school, intertwining elements of autobiographical influence with fiction.
- Old School explores themes related to the influence of literary greats, featuring imagined interactions with famous authors who visit the school.

**Narrator**  
An unnamed scholarship student at a prep school, he is from a working-class family in Seattle and dreams of becoming a successful writer.

**Dean “Arch” Makepeace**  
A respected campus figure and literature master believed to have connections with Hemingway, who later resigns to confront rumors surrounding his past.

**Mr. Ramsey**  
A literature master at the prep school who embraces literary experimentation and later invites the narrator to return as a visiting writer.

**Bill White**  
The narrator's school roommate and fellow member of the literary circle, known for his reserved nature and hidden Jewish identity.

**George Kellogg**  
The editor of the school’s literary magazine and winner of the Frost contest, with later success in academia through philosophy.

**Little Jeff Purcell**  
A member of the school's literary crowd from a wealthy family, known for his outspoken critique of class disparities.

**Robert Frost**  
A celebrated poet who chooses the winning poem for a school contest and strongly defends formal verse.

**Ayn Rand**  
An acclaimed author known for works that promote individualism, with a dismissive approach to writing that depicts vulnerability.

**Ernest Hemingway**  
A legendary author whose realistic writing style fascinates the narrator and who plays a pivotal role in a school writing contest.

**Susan Friedman**  
The author of the short story that captivates the narrator, whose work is eventually honored in a school contest.

Tobias Wolff

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Old School

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