Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Art of Fielding
- Narrated by: Holter Graham
- Length: 15 hrs and 53 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
The Art of Fielding
Buy Now for £17.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
A wonderful, warm novel from a major new American voice. In The Art of Fielding, we see young men who know that their four years on the baseball diamond at Westish College are all that remain of their sporting careers. Only their preternaturally gifted fielder, Henry Skrimshander, seems to have the chance to keep his dream – and theirs, vicariously – alive, until a routine throw goes disastrously off course, and the fates of five people are upended.
After his throw threatens to ruin his roommate Owen’s future, Henry’s fight against self-doubt threatens to ruin his; while Mike Schwartz, the team captain and Henry’s best friend, realizes he has guided Henry’s career at the expense of his own. Keeping a keen eye on them all, college president Guert Affenlight, a long time bachelor, falls unexpectedly and dangerously in love, much to the surprise of his daughter, Pella, who has returned to Westish after escaping an ill-fated marriage, determined to start a new life.
Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, The Art of Fielding is an expansive, warm-hearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment – to oneself and to others.
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about The Art of Fielding
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nishil
- 24-07-17
Superbly developed characters
A great read, you'll develop a strong affinity for the characters. Beautifully crafted book, easy listen and thoroughly enjoyable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Polly
- 17-06-15
Terrific
Would you listen to The Art of Fielding again? Why?
Yes, yes, yes! (And I did - the moment I finished it the first time round!)
What did you like best about this story?
The characters are wonderfully believable, their journeys a joy and their plights heartfelt.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I found myself laughing on the train, and, at other times, in bits. So very enjoyable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Paul
- 02-10-12
intriguing
written in a similar style to John Irving - quirky and a fabulous listen. Great characterisation and a roller coaster plot
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 21-01-18
I returned it after 2 hours
I don’t usually review books that I return but I found this too tedious to continue with. I can only comment on the first couple of hours but I can sum it up by saying that an underdog goes to college to play baseball and everyone seems nice. Aside from that, nothing has happened and I doubt that it will.
I wish I could find something in this story to keep me listening but I really can’t.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 15-05-18
sad and yet slightly life affirming as well
loved every second of this. characters that are so complex and rich that they somehow seem tangible
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 07-02-13
The Art of Fielding
I really enjoyed this book. From the first page it held me until the last. The characters are believable and one could relate to them in a real way. I highly recommend this book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
- ben
- 10-09-12
Outstanding in his field
The narration brings this study of life, to life. A important book, the best of the new millennium from the US.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Henry
- 14-05-16
More than a ball game
Life is more than baseball.
But - even for a non-expert - the game provides a satisfying theme for this beautiful book.
Home run!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- AMS
- 14-01-14
You will want to emigrate to watch baseball
Would you consider the audio edition of The Art of Fielding to be better than the print version?
I have not read the print version, but the audio brings it to life. I am not young, American or male, so the voice enhanced what I could imagine.
What did you like best about this story?
The weaving of the story with the baseball was so skilful. I gave a damn about these young people in a far country.
What about Holter Graham’s performance did you like?
The consistency of the voices, the changes from male to female, young to older, character to narrator. He did especially well at the descriptions of the ball games.
Any additional comments?
You will want to emigrate to the Midwest and watch baseball. You will wonder where you can watch baseball nearer home.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rory
- 08-01-16
Amazing narration and incredible book
Amazing narration and incredible book. Transfixed from start to finish. Every character so vivid and memorable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!