Jonty Claypole

Because through doing this, we've discovered how many others we love.

But the questions we're asking is whether this 1990s fable of boarding school life rises to the level of other American novels about division, turmoil and living as an outsider in America.

We'll talk about how school stories lend themselves perfectly to the classic American template in which the outsider observes the insider's,

and the rich tradition of stories and movies about American high schools.

And we'll ask what this sophomoric reworking of The Great Gatsby has to tell us in 2026, with the rise of the Tech Bros, MAGA, and America's Nosedive in international approval ratings.

And we'll be ending finally with a face-off between the rugby of Tom Brown's school days and the alt of prep to see just how far we've gone.

Yeah, or will it be being roasted over a fire or tossed in a blanket over sex in your dorm room?

Sophie, I was about to read the synopsis that you drafted, but I have to say it was so boring what you wrote.

I couldn't bring myself to read it.

I'd give you a C minus.

And in fact, the way we're going to do this episode is we're going to go through the eight chapters of the book in chronological order.

So we're actually going to unfold the synopsis as we go along.

And saying that means I don't have to read the dreary part.

The dreary prose you... In fact, I'll just read a sentence so listeners know what you were expecting me to read.

What life is up against.

Over four years, Lee drifts through friendships, crushes and academic pressure while observing the subtle hierarchies that shape student life.

I mean, nil point for subtle hierarchies.

She develops intent... She develops intent... OK, we've had enough.

I will.

I want listeners to know that when I draft synopses, I always put a few jokes in there and I give those jokes to you.