Chad Harbach
2011-09-07
A disastrous error on the field sends five lives into a tailspin in this widely acclaimed tale about love, life, and baseball.
“Wonderful ... a novel that is every bit as entertaining as it is affecting.” —The New York Times
“First novels this complete and consuming come along very, very seldom.” —Jonathan Franzen, New York Times bestselling author of Crossroads
At Westish College, a small school on the shore of Lake Michigan, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league stardom. But when a routine throw goes disastrously off course, the fates of five people are upended.
Henry's fight against self-doubt threatens to ruin his future. College president Guert Affenlight, a longtime bachelor, has fallen unexpectedly and helplessly in love. Owen Dunne, Henry’s gay roommate and teammate, becomes caught up in a dangerous affair. Mike Schwartz, the Harpooners’ team captain and Henry’s best friend, realizes he has guided Henry’s career at the expense of his own. And Pella Affenlight, Guert’s daughter, 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. In the process they forge new bonds, and help one another find their true paths.
Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, The Art of Fielding is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment—to oneself and to others.
Named one of 2012’s best books by The New York Times, NPR, The New Yorker, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Bloomberg, The Kansas City Star, The Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Time Out New York.
Harbach's novel about college baseball offers a departure from my conventional preferences, yet it strikes a chord with its meticulous attention to detail and the complexity of its characters. The interplay between the personal and professional lives of the players, set against the backdrop of a small college, is both captivating and reflective of the teamwork and discipline I value. The narrative's pace and emotional depth are commendable, providing a satisfying and thought-provoking read that complements my usual literary diet.
Dive into this raw, authentic baseball narrative that goes beyond the sport. Harbach's prose carries the rhythm and passion of a true fan, while the characters’ journeys feel deeply connected to the struggles and triumphs that define life off the field. A solid read for anyone who digs the realness behind the game.
This book really took me by surprise with its deep dive into college baseball and the lives of the players. Harbach's got a way of making you feel the dirt under your cleats and the weight of the bat. It's not just about the game; it's about the people who play it and the dreams they chase. The way he tells it, you can feel the pressure and the passion. It's a powerful reminder of what it means to be part of a team and the sacrifices you make for the love of the game. Rating: 4
