In this timeless, contemporary novel, Chad Harbach entwines the relationships of a group of college baseball players and allows us to view the inner feelings of the characters.
This feel good story introduces the reader to young Henry Skrimshander, "Skrim."
As the story begins, Skrim is a hard working high school baseball player. He plays the most difficult position, shortstop, and does his job with an effortless grace that makes him stand out like a lone star on a dark blue sky.
His hero is Aparicio Rodriguez, a legendary baseball shortstop. Henry carries Aparcio's "The Art of Fielding" as if it was his bible.
Henry is noticed by Mike Schwartz, a player on a college team. Mike recruits Henry and acts as a mentor on the team. Mike could represent economic goal setting and the idea of college sports as a stepping stone to a more secure financial life.
Henry plays for the love of the game and is satisfied with his place in life with the knowledge that good things will eventually come to him. It's only when Henry begins to think of the baseball talent scouts watching his performance that his skills are affected and self doubt sets in.
We also follow the activities of Guert Affenlight, who is the college president. Guert has been a bachelor for most of his life but falls in love with Henry's gay roommate, Owen.
Guert's daughter returns to possibly have a second chance at life at Westish College and she develops a relationship with one of the players.
The pacing picks up as the season draws to a close and the team has a chance for a championship title, something that school has never achieved.
The reader follows the characters and sees them grow during the course of the novel. They are so well developed that readers will want to see all of the characters succeed in their goals.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it for the study of people, the lessons of life and the literary excellence of the work.
This feel good story introduces the reader to young Henry Skrimshander, "Skrim."
As the story begins, Skrim is a hard working high school baseball player. He plays the most difficult position, shortstop, and does his job with an effortless grace that makes him stand out like a lone star on a dark blue sky.
His hero is Aparicio Rodriguez, a legendary baseball shortstop. Henry carries Aparcio's "The Art of Fielding" as if it was his bible.
Henry is noticed by Mike Schwartz, a player on a college team. Mike recruits Henry and acts as a mentor on the team. Mike could represent economic goal setting and the idea of college sports as a stepping stone to a more secure financial life.
Henry plays for the love of the game and is satisfied with his place in life with the knowledge that good things will eventually come to him. It's only when Henry begins to think of the baseball talent scouts watching his performance that his skills are affected and self doubt sets in.
We also follow the activities of Guert Affenlight, who is the college president. Guert has been a bachelor for most of his life but falls in love with Henry's gay roommate, Owen.
Guert's daughter returns to possibly have a second chance at life at Westish College and she develops a relationship with one of the players.
The pacing picks up as the season draws to a close and the team has a chance for a championship title, something that school has never achieved.
The reader follows the characters and sees them grow during the course of the novel. They are so well developed that readers will want to see all of the characters succeed in their goals.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it for the study of people, the lessons of life and the literary excellence of the work.
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1 comment:
There's quite a hype for this book I'm glad you enjoyed it ^_^
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