The Sins of the Children: A Novel

A fictional narrative written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on Peter Guthrie, a charming and athletic American Rhodes scholar at Oxford, as he navigates the complexities of university life, friendship, and burgeoning romance while maintaining his ideals of ambition and love for a pure life. Themes of youth, responsibility, and the societal expectations placed upon individuals in academic environments are likely to be central to the story. The opening of the novel introduces Peter and his friend Nicholas Kenyon at St. John's College, where Peter prepares for a visit from his family. Their lively conversation reveals much about Peter's cheerful and optimistic character contrasted with Kenyon's more jaded worldview. Peter's excitement about seeing his family after two years and his budding feelings for a girl named Betty Townsend set the stage for potential romantic entanglements. As the story unfolds, it appears to delve into the relationships between Peter and his family, his friendships in college, and the overarching desire to forge a meaningful life, all while maintaining a sense of youthful sincerity and hope for the future.