The Art of Fielding – Chad Harbach

Set in the small unfashionable Westish University on the shores of Lake Michigan, the book follows the interlocking lives of five main characters as they approach some individual watersheds.

Mike Schwartz is the apha-jock leader of the college baseball team, inspirational to others while suffering his own crisis of confidence in his post-graduation future. Henry Skrimshander is the ace baseball fielder in the key short-stop position, discovered, recruited and mentored by Schwartz, and seemingly destined for a career in the majors. Owen Dunne is Henry’s roommate and unconventional fellow member of the baseball team – more aesthete than athlete. Professor Guert Affenlight is the college Principal, an alumnus of the college and the team; and Pella is his prodigal daughter whose return threatens to upset an apple cart or two.

Although the baseball team’s progress provides the narrative backdrop it is the developing relationships between these five that drives the book. These are multi-dimensional – within the family, inside the team and, inevitably, between lovers.

The sporting context is nicely counterbalanced by the academic setting as Westish revers literature in general and Herman Melville in particular. This is due to a connection with the Moby Dick author, discovered by Guert Affenlight in his grad student days, and celebrated by the sports team’s nickname of the “Harpooners”. Poetry, philosophy and art are discussed almost as often as pitching, hitting and fielding (themselves considered an art by aficionados).

Such linkages and cleverly interweaved storylines add depth to the book, as do the complex and likeably flawed characters. Although in need of a good shake every now and then, their intentions are good and their errors, mainly due to their youth, are forgivable.

Knowledge of baseball is probably not essential to the enjoyment of this fine book, but as a keen follower I may not be the best judge. Certainly as a fan of the sport, I loved the book even more for its sporting context and references.