Talbot Baines Reed (1852–1893)

Chronicles a year in the life of Oliver Greenfield (a member of the fifth form at St. Dominic's school), a couple of his friends (also in the fifth form), his younger brother (Stephen, who is working his way through his first year at the school and who is a member of the Fourth Junior class), and a boy in the sixth form, Loman. We follow them through various scrapes - both actual and metaphorical - and their triumphs as well.

I generally don't love British boarding school stories, but this one surprised me. The characters are instantly likable (or, in a couple of instances, instantly detestable in the best way), the plot is engaging and fun (there's an interesting mystery that's not easy to solve and gets resolved in a very satisfactory way), and the pacing is good. Definitely recommended, if you like this sort of thing.… (altro)