Mr Olim is a novel by Ernest Raymond, published in 1961 to critical acclaim [1] by Cassell. It is often used by teacher training colleges to encourage students to analyse successful teaching.[2]
In his retirement, Davey La Tour looks back to his schooldays – specifically, to his first year at St Erkenwald's, a public school in west London (based on Raymond's own school, St Paul's). There he meets the fearsome Dr Hodder,[3] High Master, and his form master, the equally volatile Mr Olim.[4] During that year he develops a deep respect for the acerbic but inspirational classicist. Years later he organises a celebratory dinner for the now retired pedagogue.
The book was serialised on BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime in October 1990, and turned into a Talking Book for the Blind.[5]