The Art of Fielding

A Novel

By: Chad Harbach

Narrated by: Holter Graham

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.

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.