The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

The Locale: Yeline's

The Art of Fielding

Chad Harbach

The Book: 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’ 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. (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10996342-the-art-of-fielding)

Summary: In general, the group didn't like the book, and we were surprised that it got so much hype...and that the other reportedly got a great big advance to write it when he had never published a novel before.  BUT--despite the disappointment with the book, we always have fun, interesting conversation, and an enjoyable time.  And of course, good eats!  Yeline made a yummy flan.

The Vote: Susan presented...

• The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson WINS!!!
• The Lowland by Jhumpi Lahiri
• The Good Lord Bird by James McBride  

The Orphan Master's Son is the winner.  We will meet on Sunday, March 30th, for discussion at Susan S's. 

Up Next:  The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton will be discussed on February 23rd at Carmen’s house.

Next to Present: Brenda

Then:

• Lori
• Sarah
• Susan H.
• Diana
• Tassy
• Yeline
• Carmen
• Brenda