From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

The Art of Fielding

Chad Harbach

Start date: May 15, 2015

Finish date: June 15, 2015

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

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Group Reads Discussions

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last updated Jan 18, 2013 07:12PM

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What Members Thought

Sep 03, 2012 Ellen Librarian rated it really liked it

As much as I enjoyed reading this book, it ultimately disappointed me. I didn't find some of the characters or their situations quite believable. As someone else wrote, it felt as though the author created stick figures to move around where he wanted them.

That said, I couldn't help caring about each of them. Their predicaments and foibles endeared them all to me. The book is absorbing, touching, funny and a page turner for most of it.

What got me in the end was I couldn't understand why Henry ma ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Kent Winward rated it really liked it

I'd give this 4.5 if GoodReads let me do that. I really enjoyed this book, the characters and the story. I'm a sucker for a good sports romp, probably dating back to third grade when I devoured sports tales and biographies. Yet, this book delves into the metaphoric meaning of baseball as compared to life. We may mock our sports for not having meaning, but what meaning is there in our lives? Sports, relationships, education, literature are all ways we pass our time on the earth and the beautiful ...more

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Jun 14, 2022 Lara rated it it was amazing

The perfect beginning of summer read. A book about college, baseball, and what actually matters. I loved each of the main characters dearly; I miss them already. They were flawed and wise and such messes, but fundamentally good and kind--the way I remember thinking of people when I was in college. The plot is meandering at best and the prodigy's downfall got a little too much air time but it's a lovely journey either way. ...more

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May 25, 2014 Kay Green rated it liked it

This book should be required reading for anyone who loves baseball. There were so many scenes with drawn out descriptions of games and unfortunately as a fairweather fan of the game, I could not appreciate the drama. But I got so involved in the characters and really cared about them. I loved the last third of the book when the drama got stronger and then everything got resolved. Very well written and great unusual characters.

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Feb 07, 2012 Carol rated it liked it

Hmmm.... I liked this book more at the beginning than at the end. It will be interesting to hear what the other book clubbers think.

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Apr 19, 2012 Tanya rated it really liked it

Shelves: op-book-club-reads-2010-2014, list-1001-btrbyd, 2013, format-audiobook, list-1-001-btrbyd-2012-additions

I liked the baseball parts of the book better than the relationship parts--those dragged on a bit. It was interesting to be in the mind of the player though during the game situations--I wish there was more of the sport in the book or better yet, that the book hadn't been so long. Discs 12 & 13 kept putting me to sleep. ...more

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