Book Review: "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach

I believe I have mentioned several times that I love characters that are the worst. The book "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach has characters that are the epitome of THE WORST characters, and I love it endlessly.

I first read this book upon John Green's recommendation (if you are ever stuck on what to read next check out some of your favorite author's recommendations, they will not let you down). He posted a video about the books he had recently read and loved and suggested "The Art of Fielding" if one wanted to become unexplainably and uncontrollably attached to the characters. To that I said, "Sign me up!"

Guys, the characters are so flawed and so magnificent. You wouldn't think so as they all start out so shiny and new. We're introduced to characters with high hopes, starting new, and eager to achieve their goals. Okay, so maybe not so perfect like that, but they had least had hints of it when we first meet the five main characters. But then, we get their flaws. Their glorious, horrific, flaws.

I found myself screaming at Henry, "THROW THE BALL!" and telling Pella to get her shit together, as well wanting to wring Mike's neck, and cheering on Geurt's happiness, despite the danger it imposed. All while having the occasional change of pace with Owen, who was so delightful.

The book was actually featured on the Netflix show "Thirteen Reasons Why" because both are the story of a baseball team bonding. But "The Art of Fielding" is better, I'm just saying.

If you want a book that will rip out your heart, play baseball with it, then stab it, then stomp on it, and finally bury it, dig it up, and toss it in a lake then this is the book for you! This is one of those books that will take you to your knees from pain, and at times make your heart race with love and joy. It's not your typical story of overcoming struggles, because it's mostly just the characters trudging through their struggles and making them forty times worse because of their flaws.

Harbach crafted such wonderfully horrible people, and for that I love him. Even though they couldn't achieve their goals because of all that happened, I still cheered for them and recommend their story to anyone who will listen. So, since you're here listening: read "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach.