Jonathan Arnold reviewed The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Review of 'The Art of Fielding' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Really enjoyed this. More words on it coming soon.
Paperback
English language
Published Feb. 9, 2011 by Fourth Estate.
The Art of Fielding
by Chad Harbach
4 stars
(21 reviews)
Henry Skrimshander, newly arrived at college, shy and out of his depth, has a talent for baseball that borders on genius. But sometimes it seems that his only friend is big Mike Schwartz – who champions the talents of others, at the expense of his own. And Owen, Henry’s clever, charismatic, gay roommate, who has a secret that could put his brilliant college career in jeopardy. Pella, the 23-year-old daughter of the college president, has returned home after a failed marriage, determined to get her life in order. Only to find her father, a confirmed bachelor, has fallen desperately in love himself. Then, one fateful day, Henry makes a mistake – misthrows a ball. And everything changes… Source: www.4thestate.co.uk/book/the-art-of-fielding/
seabelis reviewed The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Review of 'The Art of Fielding' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I was on the fence about even starting this one. I don't like baseball - not the least bit interested. So I thought maybe this book would not be about it so much as provide the setting, and that was essentially the case. Granted, there's enough baseball action in here that someone with a greater appreciation than I for the game, may find it that much more rewarding. In my case however, it was easy to brush over the baseball-speak and focus on the characters and their circumstances. On the critical side, I think the book could have ended before the last few chapters. That actually brought it down for me slightly. Overall, it was not what I'd expected and worth a read for baseball fans and non-fans alike.
markm reviewed The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Review of 'The Art of Fielding' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A great novel. The baseball team as whaling crew. Great characters, tight plot, constant tension. Received the coveted Mitchell second star - not awarded since Wolfhall last year.
Jamie reviewed The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
Review of 'The Art of Fielding' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Wish I could get a Westish Harpooners ball cap.
Harbach is brilliant at conveying the tension of the star shortstop's crisis of confidence and other elements of the game and its preparations. Within those constraints, there is also some wonderful character development and exposition on baseball-as-metaphor that touches me.
There are characters and situations outside the game depicted in the Art of Fielding, as well. And those are a little flatter. I love the touches of history Harbach creates for the college and its president. The structure of the novel is just right. But the romances and intertwined paths of the characters that are not playing the game fall a little into caricature. I want some more dimension to Pella and Owen, in particular.
I can't decide if this is a three-star effort deserving of extra credit for avoiding shortcuts (a rape-free star) or a four-star book that should be …
Wish I could get a Westish Harpooners ball cap.
Harbach is brilliant at conveying the tension of the star shortstop's crisis of confidence and other elements of the game and its preparations. Within those constraints, there is also some wonderful character development and exposition on baseball-as-metaphor that touches me.
There are characters and situations outside the game depicted in the Art of Fielding, as well. And those are a little flatter. I love the touches of history Harbach creates for the college and its president. The structure of the novel is just right. But the romances and intertwined paths of the characters that are not playing the game fall a little into caricature. I want some more dimension to Pella and Owen, in particular.
I can't decide if this is a three-star effort deserving of extra credit for avoiding shortcuts (a rape-free star) or a four-star book that should be pushed to the top. I'm having trouble hanging five stars on this one.
