Showing results for "The Swim" in Classics

More preoccupied with drinking, sleeping, and writing, an unnamed student neglects his studies and invents three separate openings for a novel. The first introduces the Pooka MacPhellimey, "a member of the devil class", the second involves Mr. John Furriskey, a character belonging to another of the student's creations (writer Dermot Trellis), while the final opening features legendary Irish heroes Finn Mac Cool and Mad King Sweeny. Soon, Trellis' creations rebel against him, doing as they like while he sleeps, and the characters begin wandering in and out of each other's tales.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) wrote over 100 ‘rags-to-riches’ novels, often about teenage boys forced by circumstances to earn their own living selling newspapers, blacking boots, carrying luggage, or tending store. Alger’s heroes are honest, temperate, generous, and brave, good in a fight and ready to protect a weaker boy from a bully. Alger stresses work, study, and thrift as ways to escape poverty. Alger’s villains, on the other hand, are usually dishonest, sometimes alcoholic or brutal.