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With a Dickensian cast of characters and an improbable soap opera-style ending, this novel for young readers is delightfully droll, even as it deals with the difficult theme of social classes and pits the rich against the poor. It is set in post-World War II Canada, providing an interesting historic context, and as always Doyle's realistic dialogue and teen-oriented situations appeal to this age group.
Hubbo O'Driscoll's first year in high school is off to a bad start, as he finds traumatic true love with the lovely but poor Fleurette Featherstone Fitchell, and is tormented by the elitist Hi-Y Club. Working for the elegant, elderly, and very rich Miss Collar-Cuff makes life even more confusing for poor Hubbo. Is he turning into a snob? While Hubbo gradually comes to realize the value of his fun (albeit poor) friends and his loving guardian aunt, he has no idea what surprise is waiting for him at the end of the school year.
About the author
Brian Doyle is the award-winning author of many beloved children's books. He lives in Chelsea, Quebec.
Summary
Winner of the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award
In his first year in high school, Hubbo O'Driscoll is torn between his poor but fun friends and the shallow but rich kids.
In this novel based on Great Expectations, Brian Doyle does a brilliant job of dealing with the issue of class and all its implications. Poverty, social climbing and the connotations of each are presented through the classic Doyle blend of humor and gravity.
