the ancient nine chapter one ian k smith

Some members I’ve told, and they’ve been excited over it actually. Q: Are you expecting a backlash from members about the publication of the book?Ī: I’m not hiding it.

For me, I felt like I had a better rapport with the members of the Delphic. The other club was a little more cerebral, a little more laid-back, a little quieter - that was the Phoenix. The Delphic had more athletes they seemed more well-rounded. Otherwise you’re pretty much stuck with the club that punches you, and, if you’re lucky to get accepted after the rounds, then that’s the club. If multiple clubs punch you and multiple clubs admit you, then you have a choice. Eliot, the great poet, was a member of one of the clubs, so there are certain clubs that have certain ilks. Q: What’s the difference between the clubs?Ī: Some clubs are more WASP-ish, some clubs have more jocks, some clubs are more artistic. There are some things that I’m willing to share and be open about, but there are other things that out of respect to the privacy of other members that I should not speak too widely about. Q: Do Delphic members really get a $1 million graduation gift?Ī: Let me just say it like this: In certain clubs, the graduate members have been very benevolent to those who have joined in the ranks as graduate members. Smith, who started writing and researching “The Ancient Nine” while a senior at Harvard, thought now was the time to release his book.

The exclusionary nature of Harvard’s clubs has garnered media attention throughout the years - most recently when three final clubs decided to go co-ed and seek formal recognition from Harvard rather than face sanctions imposed by the university.

… (I)t really is autobiographical in how this character is kind of a fish out of water and then stumbles upon this mystery as he’s asked to join this society.” Very few of us got punched to join, and - true to the story - I don’t know why I got punched, because I was completely antithetical to what a club person is: I didn’t come from money, I wasn’t a legacy, my family didn’t winter in Florida. There were maybe three other blacks in my club at the time, so it was very few of us. “I really wanted to keep it as close to my experience as possible, because I thought my experience was quite unique. “A lot of the character’s actions, how he gets in the club, his background is autobiographical,” Smith said.

The ancient nine chapter one ian k smith