by Ethan Canin
First published 1995
Mr. Hundert teaches classics at St. Benedict's School when he encounters Sedgewick Bell, a student who cheats without shame. Hundert sees early signs that this boy lacks moral foundation, yet he remains transfixed as Sedgewick manipulates his way through school. Years pass. The wayward student becomes a powerful man who continues to bend rules and exploit others. Hundert observes this transformation with a mixture of revulsion and dark fascination. He cannot look away as corruption takes root and spreads. The teacher who once hoped to shape young minds now witnesses how deeply character flaws can flourish when left unchecked. This title story anchors a collection that also includes "Accountant," "Batorsag and Szerelem," and "City of Broken Dreams." Each novella explores how people navigate moral choices when ambition conflicts with integrity.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, academic
Vibes: dark, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Setting: St. Benedict's School
Period: 20th-century
227 pages · Paperback · Abacus