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Cover of Old School
Literary Fiction· United States

Old School

by Tobias Wolff
Aggregate Editorial Score62/100
★PEN/Faulkner Award
Published 2004208 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Old School (2004) by Tobias Wolff continues to receive. A boy at a New England prep school in 1960 competes for the chance to meet famous writers—Hemingway, Frost, Rand—while discovering the limits of his own honesty. Wolff's slim, perfect novel is a meditation on writing, ambition, and the stories we tell about ourselves. Themes of writing, ambition, identity run through the work. The book has received recognition from PEN/Faulkner Award 2004.

Book Details

AuthorTobias Wolff
Published2004
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages208
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781400031528
Editorial Score62/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

First published in 2004, Tobias Wolff's Old School is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with writing, ambition, identity, school gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Among its recognitions: PEN/Faulkner Award 2004. With an editorial score of 62/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Old School lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of writing, ambition, identity, school is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Old School reflects Tobias Wolff's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

PEN/Faulkner Award
winner · national
200462
✍️
About the Author
Tobias Wolff
United States
View Author →

Tobias Wolff is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Old School about?

A boy at a New England prep school in 1960 competes for the chance to meet famous writers—Hemingway, Frost, Rand—while discovering the limits of his own honesty. Wolff's slim, perfect novel is a meditation on writing, ambition, and the stories we tell about ourselves.

Who wrote Old School?

Old School was written by Tobias Wolff, from United States. First published in 2004.

What awards has Old School won?

Old School has received the following awards and honours: PEN/Faulkner Award 2004.

Is Old School worth reading?

Old School is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 62/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in writing, ambition, identity.

Where can I buy Old School?

You can buy Old School on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Old School?

Old School is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Old School from?

Old School originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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