The Oppidan (1922)

The Oppidan is a novel written by Shane Leslie, first published in 1922. Set in the fictional town of Altringham, the story follows the lives of a group of students at the local boarding school, known as the ""Oppidan"". The novel is a coming-of-age tale, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and the challenges of adolescence.The main character is Johnnie Fitzgerald, a young boy who has just arrived at the Oppidan. He quickly becomes friends with a group of boys, including the charismatic and popular Tony Luttrell, the sensitive and artistic Martin Hope, and the mischievous and rebellious Peter Gedge. Together, they navigate the ups and downs of school life, from the pressures of academic performance to the social hierarchies and rivalries that exist among the students.As the story progresses, Johnnie and his friends face a series of challenges that test their loyalty and their bonds of friendship. They must confront the school's strict disciplinary system, deal with the consequences of their own misbehavior, and navigate the complexities of relationships with girls from a nearby school. Along the way, they learn important lessons about trust, forgiveness, and the importance of standing up for what they believe in.The Oppidan is a vivid and engaging portrait of life at a British boarding school in the early 20th century. Leslie's writing captures the joys and sorrows of adolescence with sensitivity and humor, while also exploring deeper themes of identity, morality, and the meaning of friendship. This classic novel remains a timeless coming-of-age story that continues to resonate with readers today.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.