Work and Win; Or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23758

Title

Work and Win; Or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A moral tale for young people following Noddy Newman, a wayward orphan transformed by the kindness of Bertha Grant. After a disastrous cruise aboard the Roebuck involving a drunken captain and a shipwreck, Noddy learns responsibility, earns a fortune through salvage, and finds redemption. The story blends adventure with Christian instruction, emphasizing that true success comes from hard work and moral integrity.

Summary up to 500 words

In Oliver Optic's *Work and Win; Or, Noddy Newman on a Cruise*, the narrative follows the moral and physical transformation of Noddy Newman, a fourteen-year-old orphan at Woodville raised by the philanthropist Bertha Grant. Though Noddy has learned to read and behave, he remains impulsive and prone to mischief. His life changes when he joins Captain McClintock's schooner, the *Roebuck*, to sail to the Sandwich Islands. The voyage begins poorly; the captain is frequently intoxicated, and the crew faces yellow fever and a violent storm. During a stop at an island, the drunken captain steals goods, but Noddy and the crew manage to save the property and the captain's instruments. Upon returning to America, the shipwrecked crew settles accounts. Noddy is awarded half the salvaged property, amounting to a fortune, which he insists belongs to his friend Mollie McClintock, the captain's daughter. Meanwhile, Noddy confesses to setting the boat-house fire, taking full blame despite Fanny Grant's involvement. Upon returning to Woodville, he learns he is the heir to a wealthy uncle, changing his name to Ogden Newman. He rejects the idea of being sent to a military institute, choosing instead to study for the ministry. The novel concludes with Ogden Newman becoming a faithful minister and marrying Mollie, illustrating the theme that a life of work and moral victory leads to true happiness.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23758.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg23758.epub

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Categories

• Adventure
• Religion
• Fiction