In 'The Art of Fielding,' the lives of five characters intertwine at a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin, where baseball serves as a backdrop for their personal struggles and ambitions. At the center is Henry Skrimshander, a talented shortstop whose future in baseball becomes jeopardized by a single, fateful throw. As pressures mount, friendships are tested and secrets are revealed, exploring the fragility of success and the weight of expectations. Harbach delves deep into themes of love, failure, and the quest for identity in a world where everyone seems to be striving for greatness. This poignant narrative is a heartfelt exploration of how we cope with our dreams, and what it truly means to be a player in the game of life.
By Chad Harbach
Published: 2012
""The thing about sports is that you can't just quit. It pushes you to keep going, to confront your fears, to find out who you really are in the heat of the moment.""
At Westish College, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league until a routine throw goes disastrously off course. In the aftermath of his error, the fates of five people are upended. Henry's fight against self-doubt threatens to ruin his future. College president Guert Affenlight has fallen unexpectedly and helplessly in love. Owen Dunne becomes caught up in a dangerous affair. Mike Schwartz realizes he has guided Henry's career at the expense of his own. And Pella Affenlight 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. Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, "The Art of Fielding is mere baseball fiction the way Moby Dick is just a fish story" (Nicholas Dawidoff). It is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment--to oneself and to others.
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“"The thing about sports is that you can't just quit. It pushes you to keep going, to confront your fears, to find out who you really are in the heat of the moment."”
The Art of Fielding
By Chad Harbach
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Chad Harbach is an acclaimed American author known for his thought-provoking storytelling and keen insights into the complexities of contemporary life. He gained widespread recognition with his debut novel, 'The Art of Fielding' (2011), which intricately weaves themes of ambition, relationships, and the pursuit of excellence through the lens of a college baseball team. Harbach's writing is characterized by its rich character development, lyrical prose, and a philosophical depth that invites readers to reflect on their own lives and aspirations. In addition to his fiction, he is a co-founder of the literary magazine n+1 and has contributed essays and criticism to various publications. His exploration of the intersections between personal and collective narratives continues to resonate with audiences.
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