The Land of Joy

"The Land of Joy" by Ralph Henry Barbour is a story set in the early 1900s that follows John North, a college student returning to Harvard, as he becomes a mentor to Phillip Ryerson, a wild new student from Virginia; together they must learn to navigate the challenges of college life as their friendship grows against a backdrop of expectations and responsibilities. John is not entirely happy about this mentorship. As John prepares for the new semester, he remembers his own time at college and feels nervous about Phillip's arrival; when Phillip finally appears, the story promises a mix of comedy and tension as their relationship unfolds amidst the exciting world of university.