I'm reading The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Synopsis from iTunes:
At Westish College, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league until a routine throw goes disastrously off course. In the aftermath of his error, the fates of five people are upended. Henry's fight against self-doubt threatens to ruin his future. College president Guert Affenlight has fallen unexpectedly and helplessly in love. Owen Dunne becomes caught up in a dangerous affair. Mike Schwartz realizes he has guided Henry's career at the expense of his own. And Pella Affenlight returns to Westish after escaping an ill-fated marriage, determined to start a new life.
As the season counts down to its climactic final game, these five are forced to confront their deepest hopes, anxieties, and secrets. Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, "The Art of Fielding is mere baseball fiction the way Moby Dick is just a fish story" (Nicholas Dawidoff). It is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment--to oneself and to others.
As the season counts down to its climactic final game, these five are forced to confront their deepest hopes, anxieties, and secrets. Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, "The Art of Fielding is mere baseball fiction the way Moby Dick is just a fish story" (Nicholas Dawidoff). It is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment--to oneself and to others.
My thoughts:
I'm not finished with the book yet, but I'm in love. My mom read it before me and told me that I had to read it. I'm not the biggest baseball fan in the world (meaning I know nothing about baseball other than the fact that you hit a ball with a bat and there's nine innings). Still, I fell in love with this book.
It's not about baseball, guys.
It's about a college-aged boy who starts out being a star on campus and falls.
It's about having a talent and then having that stripped away from you.
It's about the tedious process of planning out your future and the stress of having it ride on your performance.
I can find this book so relatable, so I'm sure you all will too! I'm sure I'll do a full review once I finish it. Like I said, it's not about baseball...it's about the irony of life, and how our destinies are intwined in each other's. The book is almost magical. Can't wait to finish it!
What are you all reading right now? Give me some book suggestions!
--Becky
Thanks for stopping by my little blog! That books looks like a great one for reading on the beach or at the pool! I'll have to download it! xx
ReplyDeleteYeah it's a pretty quick read and great for summer. I definitely recommend it!
DeleteSuch a WONDERFUL book! Yes "magical," that is the perfect way to describe it.
ReplyDeleteI thought that would be the best way to describe it too. Still not finished yet...I have to read some critical essays tonight for my English class, but I must be only 50 pages or so away from the end.
DeleteI've heard really great things about this one. It isn't necessarily the type of book I normally pick up, but it does seem like one I'd really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYeah I don't really like watching sports movies or anything, so I was surprised that I loved this book so much. It's a comeback sports team story, but it focuses more on individual characters rather than the team as a whole.
DeleteI love baseball! I need to pick this one up.
ReplyDeleteAny baseball lover would love this book. It's seriously amazing!
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