The Art of Fielding

A Novel

By: Chad Harbach

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

A disastrous error on the field sends five lives into a tailspin in this award-nominated tale about love, life, and baseball.

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.

©2011 Chad Harbach (P)2011 Hachette

Critic reviews

"Reading The Art of Fielding is like watching a hugely gifted young shortstop: you keep waiting for the errors, but there are no errors. First novels this complete and consuming come along very, very seldom." (Jonathan Franzen)

"Chad Harbach's The Art of Fielding is one of those rare novels - like Michael Chabon's Mysteries of Pittsburgh or John Irving's The World According to Garp - that seems to appear out of nowhere and then dazzles and bewitches and inspires until you nearly lose your breath from the enjoyment and satisfaction, as well as the unexpected news-blast that the novel is very much alive and well." (James Patterson)

"Chad Harbach has hit a game-ender with The Art of Fielding. It's pure fun, easy to read, as if the other Fielding had a hand in it - as if Tom Jones were about baseball and college life." (John Irving)

Wonderful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I am still new to the audio experience, so perhaps I was overexcited by this particular novel. But, damn, did I ever love this! Maybe I missed the structural criticisms (of the novel itself) I found on Amazon b/c I was seduced by Holter Graham’s fantastic narration -- but, honestly, I don’t think so. This is simply a great contemporary novel.

Story, character, plotting, structure, themes, writing, and narration all work well together. It may have some challenging themes and characters for some, but I found it to be a beautifully rendered story. As many have said, it is not really a novel about sports. However, at the same time, it very much is. Having been a very successful athlete in my younger years who experienced a crisis of confidence at one point, I can say that I have never encountered a truer rendition of said experience.

I would recommend this novel for lovers of Michael Chabon, Richard Russo, or Tom Perrotta.

Great new version of a great novel.

I fell in love with this story despite the original version here on Audible (narrated by Bryan Kennedy, who was woefully inappropriate for this book). This new version narrated by Holter Graham is much less distracting than the original (and thanks to his more natural patter an hour shorter than before) and lets the characters feel more natural. If any of the previous reviews and low rankings because of the narration put you off downloading this book, please reconsider and give it a try.

A home run

The baseball team at a small Wisconsin college provides the context for a rich cast of characters, each striving to achieve some of their innermost dreams

What a wonderful book!

What did you love best about The Art of Fielding?

That it was a great book centered around baseball. Great characters, great setting, great story.

What did you like best about this story?

The plight of Henry Scrimshander. From wonderkind to failure and, finally, a hint of redemption.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final scenes where Guert's friends and family bury him at sea and then the workout by Henry and Mike.

Who was the most memorable character of The Art of Fielding and why?

So many characters who were so well developed. I enjoyed reading about each character as the story bounced around. The main characters were all so likeable.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books I've listened to in a while. I don't normally do reviews, but I felt compelled to vent. The narrator, Holter Graham, was great with different voices and the drama of the story. This is my first listen of Mr. Graham but surely won't be my last.

I highly recommend this book.

I liked this book very much. It's no "Boys in the Boat", it is satisfying listen. Not my favorite performance, but good enough.

A nice, honest story with good characters

What made the experience of listening to The Art of Fielding the most enjoyable?

This book reminded me of the early works of two of my favorite authors, before they became "serious writers" - John Irving and Richard Russo. Much like "Straight Man" and "Nobody's Fool" by Russo and Irving's "The World According to Garp," I enjoyed the character development of this book.

I liked these people - and I especially liked the fact that there was no single protagonist. I wanted them all to be successful in the end. It's not a world-changing book. It won't win the Pulitzer. But I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling, and that was refreshing.

A Good Baseball Story...A GREAT book of character.

Where does The Art of Fielding rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best audiobooks I've listened to this year.

What did you like best about this story?

A great story about great characters. I loved the small private college aspects of the book.

Who was the most memorable character of The Art of Fielding and why?

Great Characters.

Any additional comments?

A great read.

Much more than a baseball book

This was an excellent listen. The narrator did a superb job of differentiating the characters and the story itself is engrossing. Fans of John Iriving books will really enjoy this title.

Compelling

Fully developed characters and great storyline. Particularly recommended if you’re a baseball fan, but you don’t need to be to enjoy the story.

A Lovely Read!!

I found myself immersed in this book from start to finish. Absolutely amazing read and highly recommend.