41 pages • 1 hour read
Tobias WolffOld School
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read Old School?
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.