Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Alger, Horatio, Jr. (1832–1899).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes" by Horatio Alger Jr. is a coming-of-age novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around a young Irish immigrant named Andy Burke, who navigates the challenges of his socioeconomic status while striving to improve his circumstances and support his family. Through his encounters with wealthier peers, particularly the arrogant Godfrey Preston, Andy demonstrates resilience and good humor, embodying the values of hard work, integrity, and friendship. The opening of the novel introduces us to Andy Burke, who arrives in a village and soon finds himself at odds with Godfrey Preston, the privileged son of a local colonel. A confrontation between the two boys arises when Godfrey seeks to exert dominance over Andy, labeling him a "beggar" and a "low Irish boy." Andy's spirited and witty responses lead to a physical altercation, highlighting the themes of class conflict and social inequality. We also learn about Andy's family background, his strong bond with his mother, and how the struggle for dignity and acceptance shapes his character. This lively initiation of conflict sets the stage for Andy's journey of self-improvement and establishes his role as a brave, resourceful protagonist willing to stand up for himself and others.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes
- Author credits: Alger, Horatio, Jr. (1832–1899)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
- Inheritance and succession -- Juvenile fiction
- Irish Americans -- Juvenile fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Children & Young Adult Reading
- Category: Novels
- Children's Fiction
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Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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