Surprisingly good, and still relevant after over 100 years

Somewhat predictable and not quite literary. Heavy-handed and melodramatic in a number of places, and the title character is not the most interesting... But it handles matters of continuing cultural weight and speaks to possibly irresolvable problems that persist in a de facto caste-ridden society and articulates them well

This story starts on the Yale campus as freshman Dink Stover arrives, bright-eyed and eager as all good early 20th-century undergrads do in fiction. He becomes aware of the secret societies of the campus, particularly the Skull and Bones. The story is not so much about campus life, per se, but about the politics of campus life, how to succeed in the campus societies, and really just how to make it to the top of the social ladder.

I think maybe I would have enjoyed this if I had more testosterone. As it was I was sort of 'meh' about the whole thing. It didn't feel new, though probably because I've read Fitzgerald and I felt he did a relatively decent job of detailing the campus life. The Skull and Bones and others was a nice addition, however. Overall, though, I was bored by the sports talk (lots of football, some wrestling). I don't often think that if I were a male I might appreciate a story better, and this actually may have been the first time the thought crossed my mind.

There is at least another book in the Stover saga, and perhaps if I had read the one about his Lawrenceville days first I might have enjoyed Yale a little better. Can't say I won't check out anything else by Johnson, but I'm certainly in no rush.

Very interesting book to read first published in 1912
The this copy was published in 2017
The way it was printed made it a little difficult to read the book to me has no rhythm to make it more readable.
But nevertheless it gave a nice insight into college live a Yale.
An enjoyable read recommend it

With the book being 112 years old at the time that I read it and tyne setting being a very elitist environment, I didn't think I would find much in this book. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book contained a great deal of positive life lessons, characters with strong moral conviction, and shades of gray to show that there can be many different sides to one issue. It's an excellent read for any young person facing the challenge of navigating complex social circles. Even after a century, the message and lessons are both relevant and supportive.