If I didn't have to stop to sleep, I would have devoured this book in one sitting. There is something about prep school novels that thrill me, especially ones that are written beautifully, as this one is. It's the type of coming-of-age story that is literary, intensely character driven, and nostalgic.

The narrator is reminiscing about his time in an all-boys Maine boarding school he attended in the early 1960s. Even though he is on scholarship, he manages to hide his financial situation well and blend in with his classmates, all of whom are literary over-achievers. The school holds literary contests where the boys write stories or poems. Then, a famous author, who selects his/her favorite piece of writing among several finalists, comes to the school and has a private meeting with the winner. Robert Frost, Ayn Rand, Ernest Hemingway... Wolff weaves these iconic writers into the plot so skillfully that you feel as if you're in the audience listening to them speak.

Though the boys encounter the typical teenage insecurities, their reflections and interactions center around these literary contests, much like how the current generation might obsess over the latest Hollywood celebrity. It's refreshing and satisfying to read about an insulated world without the distraction of cellphones or any other technological device. When the narrator needs some time to himself, he walks into the woods to think. Although most of the characters Wolff crafts seem to be honorable people, they are developed by the author so patiently that it is a surprising jolt when their indiscretions surface.

Old School is a soothing, deeply introspective work of fiction that reminds me of the rhythm of Kazuo Ishiguro's writing in The Remains of the Day. The book is a testament to the masterful talent of a superior writer. It takes the reader on a journey through a bygone era, filled with literary aspirations, teenage turmoil, and the power of words.

Rarely is literature so literary. To fully appreciate Tobias Wolff’s prep school bildungsroman Old School, one must possess a certain degree of familiarity with literary giants like Robert Frost, Ayn Rand, and Ernest Hemingway. However, this moving and brilliantly crafted novel can also be savored, albeit only to a certain extent, by those who passed their English classes idly drawing spirals on their notebooks. The reason lies in its universal ideas. Here, Wolff delves into one of my favorite inquiries: Who are we? Is it the story we present to the world about ourselves or the one the world constructs about us?

Any teenager, but particularly an outcast like the protagonist, a Seattle scholarship student in an East Coast prep school, spends nearly every waking moment fashioning his life. Before entering the halls of high school, a teen's identity is largely shaped by his parents. But suddenly, around the ages of 13, 14, or 15, a teenager makes his first autonomous decision about who he will become. As Wolff astutely observes, often the choice he makes is incorrect, which ironically compels the teenager to strive even harder to embody that choice.

The plot of Old School centers around a literary competition where renowned writers visit the boarding school campus for a reading and then have a private audience with a boy whose story they have read and chosen as “the best.” The collegial yet intense relationships among these boys are strained with the arrival of each new writer. And although these boys’ attempts at both creative expression and self-creation may seem like farce, lies, and fiction, one can somewhat perceive that by fabricating false stories, the boys are edging closer to the truth. It's rather like how any bookworm, far from being confined to escapist fantasies, is on the verge of uncovering something more genuine than what most people will ever encounter.

Toby has the ability to write.

And this particular book truly intrigues me. It encompasses so many elements that I find captivating. There's the aspect of coming-of-age, which always offers a rich exploration of a character's growth and self-discovery. The mention of famous authors adds an air of mystery and inspiration. Prep school provides a unique setting with its own set of rules and social dynamics. The quality of the writing itself is excellent, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged. And then there's the whole idea of the writing (wannabe) life, which many of us can relate to on some level.

This book seems to have it all, and I can't wait to dive deeper into its pages and see where the story takes me. It's like a treasure trove of literary delights waiting to be uncovered.

"dafuq dafuq" is an expression that shows confusion or surprise. It's a rather informal and perhaps even a bit vulgar way of reacting to something unexpected or strange.

For example, if you see a person wearing a really odd combination of clothes, you might say "dafuq dafuq" under your breath.

However, it's important to note that using such language in a formal or professional setting is not appropriate. It can give the wrong impression and may even冒犯他人.

It's always better to use more polite and appropriate language to express your thoughts and feelings. That way, you can communicate effectively without causing any unnecessary misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

So, the next time you're tempted to say "dafuq dafuq", think twice and choose your words more carefully.

This work seemed to rely too heavily on references to other texts. As a result, it failed to truly stand alone as something particularly impressive.

By the end, I found myself not really caring about any of the original characters. However, I must admit that I did like the portrayals of the authors. There were also some witty moments sprinkled throughout that managed to make me laugh.

It's a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the over-reliance on external references detracted from its overall impact. But on the other hand, the interesting portrayals of the authors and the humorous moments provided some entertainment value.

Perhaps with a bit more focus on developing original characters and ideas, this could have been a more engaging and memorable piece. As it stands, it has its亮点 but also its不足之处.

For a short book set in an all boys school in the 60s (I think), I was oddly moved by many passages. It seems to have unlocked something within me. There are class issues, pretence, feelings around graduation, and elitism. Hoo boy!

Here are some random thoughts. Firstly, it features real authors as some of its characters. Although they may come across as one-dimensional, it works for the book's purpose in my opinion. They embody different stages of the main character's development and the theme of writing critique. Honestly, I haven't read Ayn Rand's work, but the evident dislike of her really shows. Maybe American individualism can go to rot.

Secondly, without being all "sees a book set in an elite school" and asking "is this dark academia?", it did remind me a lot of "The Secret History" in some ways. Yes, mostly because of the unnamed narrator. But it's on a more subdued stage as there's no murder. There's less idolization of individuals and more explicit idolization of a social structure they don't fit into. And it's more profound for that. In my opinion, it feels more honest than pretentious, more self-aware of its message (though some might find it preachy, I don't know). It gave me a lot to think about. I was highlighting so many passages that really struck a chord. It was wild!

So, yeah, I didn't know what to expect from the writing going in, but it was delightfully easy to read. It's eloquent but not trying too hard. I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely comes across as a thinly veiled memoir. I guess, following the theme in the book, that explains why it feels so honest and raw. (I checked his wiki page and, yep, it checks out. It's literally a fictional memoir.) And the ending story was a beautiful way to show the narrator's story coming to a close without being too direct about it.

Although I truly relished Wolff's writing style and the captivating boarding school backdrop, Old School ultimately left me with a sense of disappointment.

It was concise, which I initially favored as the story didn't demand more than those approximately 200 pages. However, I must confess that I skimmed through parts. I simply couldn't establish an emotional bond with the characters. The narrator's absence of guilt, shame, or any other palpable emotion made him hard to identify with by the end. And regarding the conclusion, I found it rather peculiar that the final chapter was dedicated to a character we had scarcely encountered (and consequently, didn't care about in the slightest).

The school, on the other hand, is a writer's utopia. It's an exclusive boarding school where the majority of the boys aspire to be writers, and writing competitions are eagerly awaited in the same way that other schools anticipate football or basketball seasons. This is partly due to the school's practice of inviting renowned authors throughout the year for readings and discussions. Before an author's arrival, all the boys are invited to submit stories or poems to a contest, and the winner is selected by the upcoming author. Then, the victorious boy gets a private conversation with the author upon their arrival. In the course of the book, there are contests for (and winners chosen by) Robert Frost, Ayn Rand, and Ernest Hemingway.

The discussions about the authors were always engaging and even made me burst out laughing on one occasion. If you've ever read Hemingway, I trust you'll appreciate the hilarity in this wonderful passage:

We even talked like Hemingway characters, though in travesty, as if to deny our discipleship: That is your bed, and it is a good bed, and you must make it and you must make it well. Or: Today is the day of meatloaf. The meatloaf is swell. It is swell but when it is gone the not-having meatloaf will be tragic and the meatloaf man will not come anymore” (14).

But when the writers arrived and there were scenes depicting their interactions with the boys and faculty of the school, I was irritated. It just doesn't seem fair to Frost, Rand, and Hemingway. I'm certain Wolff did his research and the way he portrayed their actions was consistent with what I've learned about them myself, but I simply didn't care for it. It felt as if he was putting words in their mouths. And while I haven't read Ayn Rand and have little inclination to do so either, Wolff's portrayal of her seemed particularly unkind. His bias was evident. Moreover, the writers always seemed more like fictional characters than real individuals. They didn't speak naturally at all. Every sentence they uttered felt quotable (and thus, in my eyes, extremely stiff and artificial).

Nonetheless, because I truly liked Wolff's writing, I look forward to reading his work again. This was merely my first encounter with his writing.

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Meredith suggests reading This Boy's Life or In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War, the first two parts of this author's memoirs, instead of this fictional novel if you haven't read Hemingway or Rand.

I myself have never read Hemingway or Rand, but I know of their reputations and really liked this book.

Does anyone recall getting a flyer in high school stating that you've been so successful that you're selected to be listed in the Who's Who In American High Schools? I was too naive to recognize a scam when it was aimed at me with flattery. As a quiet nerd hungry for recognition for my constant studying, I pleaded with my parents to pay the fee. It was exciting to see my name in the book...uh, just one line among about a thousand rice paper-thin sheets. Or what about invitations to join honor societies in college, where if you paid a fee, you could claim to be a member of Golden Key or Phi Kappa Phi or any set of Greek letters. I'm sure these all had good intentions, with monthly meetings, community service events, and sometimes lectures with free pizza as an attendance bribe.

Later, I learned about the Order of the Engineer, which was formed after a tragic bridge collapse in Canada. The steel from that bridge was reforged into rings*, and any civil engineer could make a personal vow to remember THE CHILDREN, wearing a ring on the pinky of the writing hand as a reminder to always work conscientiously.

As I gradually became wiser, I realized that most of these organizations only wanted the membership fee. Those that weren't money-focused were honor-focused, trying to capture minds at a peak of idealism and carry it forward into a community of doing good. The secret ceremonies (one was held in complete darkness with Greek letter code names and we had to vow never to speak of what was said, hah) and symbolisms (the ring was placed while holding your hand through a larger display-sized ring - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of...) were used in an attempt to create gravity and impress upon us the importance of their mission statements.

One of the themes of this novel is the living in and loss of idealism. I think. I have trouble understanding this literature/English stuff. These young boys at boarding school view literature, their lit teachers, their school, and authors with an awe and innocence that hurts because you know there will be disillusionment. Let's call it the end of a golden age. I think we want to have a reverence for something, anything. Religion, life, love, knowledge, an abstract that can be projected onto and we can lie to ourselves to make it just so. This fails when the abstracts attach to fallible people or groups or agencies (or book websites) who are revealed to be not quite up to the mistaken mental construct.

I've always linked my readings to my own life and experiences, but maybe this is a sign of an immature reader? The main character, in a very funny jab at Ayn Rand, reads The Fountainhead and over-absorbs her message - such a funny section. I see I'm doing the same with this book.

*Aww man! I wikipedia-ed this and learned that it's not true! There was a bridge collapse but the rings are just plain old steel, no special burden of tragedy attached. Another blow.

A sublime novel set in the 60s, it delves into the life of a group of sweet-yet-pretentious literary boys at a privileged US private school. It has an uncanny resemblance to Dead Poet's Society. The story is told with great subtlety, and the writing is of a very high standard. It's a book that I found wholly enjoyable from start to finish. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles and triumphs are relatable. The setting of the 60s adds an extra layer of charm and authenticity to the story. Overall, it's a must-read for anyone who loves a good coming-of-age tale.

Desperately sentimental, yet at the same time it feels like a put-on of epic proportions.

One can't help but try to imagine Pete Campbell from "MAD MEN" penning an elegy to the lost snobbery of a bygone age.

Pete Campbell, with his complex and often self-serving character, would approach such a task with a certain air of superiority.

His elegy might be filled with vivid descriptions of the elegance and refinement that once prevailed, but there would also be an underlying tone of insincerity.

It would be as if he is using the nostalgia for the lost snobbery as a means to boost his own image and feel a sense of superiority over the present.

Yet, despite the artificiality, there would be a certain charm to his words, a hint of the allure that the bygone age held.

Perhaps this is what makes the idea of Pete Campbell writing such an elegy both fascinating and somewhat absurd.

Okay, I have to admit that I am a little confused about the ending of this story. There is really no sense of conclusion when it comes to the main character. Instead, it takes a really interesting deep dive into the story of another character, and even ends with him. It's an interesting choice, and not one that I would have made myself. However, I have to give credit where credit is due. The last line of the story did make me tear up, so I guess it was still good. Overall, I would rate this story a solid 4 stars. It had its flaws, but it also had its strengths, and I found myself engaged throughout the entire reading.

I've changed my rating of this book from 4 stars to 5.

When I read this book less than a month ago, I initially thought it was perfect. It's written so beautifully and is extremely interesting, with one of my favorite settings being "school". However, I thought the ending spoiled its perfection. The main character is left suddenly, and instead, a minor character's life is described in detail.

Yesterday, I accidentally came across an interview with the author, which explained the ending. Now, it is one of my favorite books. Indeed, Tobias Wolff should have perhaps explained it in the novel itself, as many people thought just as I did that the last chapter was an odd ending of the novel and not a story written by the narrator.

Here is the excerpt that explains the ending:

TH: I wondered why you called this section of the novel “Master.”

TW: It’s a double-edged title. Of course, the section just before this ends with the word “masters.” The narrator’s listening to his teachers in the headmaster’s house. “These sure and finished men, our masters.” That’s his vision of them. And then he writes something called “Master,” and what we read is a story of a very unsure man, who’s unfinished and full of self-doubt, and self-recrimination for allowing a certain misunderstanding to persist, one that he continues to profit by. It’s also the narrator’s own story of himself. What writers do is they tell their own story constantly through other people’s stories. They imagine other people, and those other people are carrying the burden of their struggles, their questions about themselves. We’ve never actually seen the narrator write a story in this whole book. He can’t know from the brief conversation he’s had with the headmaster all the things he tells us about Makepeace. How would he know what the weather was like when Makepeace goes for a job interview at this military academy? So it’s clearly coming from the narrator. And suddenly he’s giving us a story that he’s written, and the story at its heart is about duplicity and the willing tolerance of peoples’ misunderstanding of him, which the narrator himself has been guilty of. And it’s about estrangement, a feeling of not being home and struggling to get home in some way. So those concerns all come together for me in this end piece. Some people have said, “What’s that all about? Why didn’t the narrator finish his own story?” I was surprised when people had that response, because I thought that it would be apparent that the narrator was really telling his own story.

This new understanding has completely changed my perception of the book, and I now appreciate it even more for its depth and complexity.