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)

Bravo!

Wonderful psychological development. You need not be a baseball fan or even sports fan. Just excellent story and craft. Bravo!

really enjoyable

I did not think I would enjoy this story because I have zero interest in baseball, but what a great listen. Interesting characters and story.

Well worth the listen

A comming of age book with a twist. The characters were all well developed. Not a true sport book but used the sport of baseball to drive home its point.

A decent book.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Art of Fielding to be better than the print version?

I prefer Audio as I listen to them while I work. I don't have much time outside of work to read a print version.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable, but the one twist was good.

Have you listened to any of Holter Graham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't.

If you could take any character from The Art of Fielding out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I really like the President of the University character.

Any additional comments?

It was a good book.

A lovely read

The Art of Fielding is about baseball, but so much more. Henry Scrimshander, the main character, has an amazing career at the small liberal arts college he attends. His roommate, Owen, along with Henry's friend and trainer, Mike, make for an interesting triangle of personalities.
At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story where the common thread is baseball. Beautifully told, the story of success, failure, and redemption is touching, but avoids falling into the trap of sentimentality and cloying sweetness.
Really enjoyed this book - and was sorry when it came to am end.

Great book

Great baseball story. Did not want the book to end with so much more left to tell. Maybe a second book will come!

Characters to Love!

Any additional comments?

An entertaining story which accurately depicts a slice of life at a small college in middle America. The strength of this novel are its characters. Quite simply, I was not prepared to say good-bye and I believe that is the best compliment that can be given to any novel. A marvelous story - a great performance by the narrator - and many enjoyable hours of listening.

Late to the party but loved the book

Beautifully written. Wonderful characters. Didn't want it to end. The reader did a nice job as well.

What a great premise for a book.

Would you try another book from Chad Harbach and/or Holter Graham?

Yes I would.

Would you be willing to try another book from Chad Harbach? Why or why not?

Mr. Harbach writes well, gives depth to some of his characters, and plots out the story line nicely.

Which character – as performed by Holter Graham – was your favorite?

I think I likes his portrayal of Owen the best. He gave Owen exactly the voice and attitude I expected, but he also gave him more than I expected and it was all good.

Was The Art of Fielding worth the listening time?

Yes, I believe it was.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book, but it was not without flaws. It started well, bogged down, then recovered hinting at a need for some additional, or at least better, editing. One character was a bit too wimpy and hard to believe. Still it presented an interesting look into how 5 people met and the impact each had on the others' lives.

Great story!

This was a great story to listen to. Found it hard to put it down. Listen to it while was running and it made my runs easier and longer.