Frank Merriwell's Races

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21958

Title

Frank Merriwell's Races

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling installment of the Frank Merriwell series, the hero purchases a promising horse and faces a mysterious plot involving his friends and college rivals. Blending high-stakes horse racing, a grueling boat race against Harvard, and a dramatic track meet, the story explores themes of integrity, grit, and loyalty. Readers will enjoy Merriwell's physical feats, his witty banter with chums, and his unwavering determination to protect his school's honor against crooked opponents.

Summary up to 500 words

In Burt L. Standish's *Frank Merriwell's Races*, the narrative follows the titular Yale athlete as he navigates athletic triumphs and underlying mysteries. The story begins with Frank purchasing a bay gelding named Nemo after using it to rescue Winifred Lee from a runaway carriage. Although his friends joke about the high price, Frank reveals he vowed to own the horse if it saved a life. However, the purchase soon attracts suspicion when a stranger visits the stable under a false name, hinting at a plot against Frank involving sabotage and dishonest rivals like Fred Flemming. The plot intensifies during the annual Yale-Harvard boat race. Frank, secretly suffering from a hidden injury, defies Coach Collingwood's doubts to row for his team. Despite the pain of a wound that feels like a knife driving into his arm, Frank pushes his exhausted crew to victory over Harvard. He collapses only after crossing the finish line, proving that sheer willpower and the spirit of "Old Eli" can overcome physical limitations. Following the boat race, the story shifts to a track and field tournament. Frank's rival, Fred Flemming, attempts to sabotage the event by falsely claiming Frank is absent. Just as the mile run is about to begin, Frank arrives, shocking the crowd and his rivals. In a fierce competition against runners from Harvard, Princeton, and other colleges, Frank engages in a neck-and-neck battle with Mansford of Princeton. As his strength wanes, he summons his last reserves of energy to overtake the leaders and secure glory for Yale. The novel concludes with Frank explaining his mysterious delay to his friends. He hints at a deeper mystery involving a benefactor who detained him, suggesting that his absence was not due to cowardice but a deliberate act to protect his team or thwart a scheme. The story celebrates Frank's triumph as the hero of the college, highlighting themes of honesty in amateur sports, the power of grit, and the importance of loyalty to one's team.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Sports