The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach is an entertaining novel that tells the story of college baseball hopeful Henry Skrimshander and those around him. The novel follows Henry as he navigates the difficulties of playing college-level baseball, the complex relationships of his team, and the disappointment of failing to attend the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft.
The Art of Fielding tells the story of Henry, who is a baseball prodigy as well as a devoted student of the game. He spends most of his time at the fictional Westish college under the tutelage of his baseball coach, Mike Schwartz. Through Henry's relationship with Schwartz and his teammates, the novel delves deeper into the passion and drive for greatness that baseball requires, as well as the unique relationships players and coaches forge with one another. Henry's skill and dedication propels him to the top of the college ranks and he has a chance at the MLB draft, but a tragic mistake on the field leads him to spiral out of control and ruin his chance of making it into the pros.
Henry's story is interwoven with that of his teammates, such as talented pitcher, Owen Dunne, determined catcher, Mike Aguilar, and the team's unflappable captain, Guert Affenlight. Each of Henry's teammates has something unique to bring to the team, and though they sometimes butt heads on the field, their friendship and camaraderie is undeniable. All the players of the Westish team bring different elements to the story, fleshing out each character to make them more than just a passing one-dimensional figure who takes part in the action.
Henry's story also explores themes of masculinity, ambition and failure. In particular, Henry's failed attempt to enter the MLB draft serves as a lesson in understanding that failure is part of the journey towards success. The Art of Fielding examines the idea that failure builds character, ambition and resilience, and that a true champion is the one who is resilient and never stops believing in himself.
The Art Of Fielding is a unique and captivating novel with a great deal of depth and humour. Chad Harbach's writing is delightful and thought-provoking and he uses some interesting and unexpected plot twists to keep the story moving along. His storytelling is balanced with a keen sense of description, allowing the reader to become fully entrenched in the characters’ lives and college baseball world. The Art of Fielding provides a dynamic tale that is full of themes of ambition, achievement, failure, and friendship. It is an entertaining read that will leave readers considering the importance of each of these topics.
