Subject
Princeton University -- Fiction Books
Best books
Wadsworth Camp
The Guarded Heights
"The Guarded Heights" by Wadsworth Camp is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on George Morton, a young man grappling with his social identity and aspirations after experiencing a downward shift in fortune. He becomes enamored with Sylvia Planter, the daughter of a wealthy family, creating a dynamic of class struggle and personal ambition as he attempts to ascend beyond his humble beginnings. At the start of the novel, George Morton reflects on his changing circumstances, having recently lost his family's livery business due to the rise of automobiles. He now finds himself working on the Planter estate, where he meets the beautiful and spirited Sylvia. As he becomes her horse caretaker, George is drawn to Sylvia's confident charm, igniting a desire to prove himself worthy of her affection. Despite feelings of inferiority and the harsh realities of class distinctions, George's determination to rise above his humble roots begins to form, setting the stage for a journey of ambition, rivalry, and the quest for love.
Jesse Lynch Williams
Princeton Stories
"Princeton Stories" by Jesse Lynch Williams is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The narratives center around the experiences and antics of college life at Princeton University, focusing on the camaraderie, traditions, and challenges faced by the students. Through a humorous lens, Williams explores themes of class spirit, youthful exuberance, and social interactions within the collegiate setting. At the start of the collection, the story "The Winning of the Cane" sets the stage for the competitive and spirited atmosphere of campus life. It describes the excitement surrounding a traditional event known as the Cane Spree, where freshmen and sophomores engage in a physical contest to win a symbolic cane for their class. The narrative introduces characters such as Hill, the oversized but innocent freshman, who finds himself thrust into the competition amid the tension and expectations of his peers. As the story unfolds, Hill's unassuming nature becomes significant as he rises to challenge the more experienced sophomores, highlighting the themes of identity, acceptance, and the pressures of university culture.
Bernard Wolfe
Self Portrait
"Self Portrait" by Bernard Wolfe is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The story revolves around the intricate world of cybernetics, delving into themes of technology, morality, and human identity. The protagonist, Ollie Parks, navigates his role in a cutting-edge research facility, reflecting on the implications of advanced artificial limbs and the ethical dilemmas surrounding their development. In "Self Portrait," Ollie Parks is a cyberneticist working at the Institute for Advanced Cybernetics Studies (IFACS), where he leads a lab focused on creating artificial limbs. The narrative unfolds as Ollie is driven by the challenge of exceeding the biological functions of natural limbs. He faces various obstacles, including the ethical implications of his work, his relationships with colleagues like the enigmatic Len Ellsom, and the increasingly complex militaristic applications of cybernetic advancements. As the story progresses, Ollie grapples with his aspirations, peer pressures, and the haunting presence of past relationships, particularly with Marilyn, as he navigates a fragile balance between innovation and ethical considerations in a potentially dystopian future.
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