My Rating: 
Author: Chad Harbach
Narrator: Holter Graham
Length: 16 hrs
Publisher: Hachette Audio
My Review:
The Art of Fielding wasn’t on my TBL pile until I watched a video from John Green where he discussed a few books that he had read this year. He had very high praise for The Art of Fielding so I felt like I couldn’t miss when I decided to burn an audible credit on it.
I found myself immediately taken in by the story. Henry Skrimshander’s miserable offensive skills at the beginning of the book make you assume that he is going to get pounded by line drives when he assumes his position at shortstop. However, when Henry turns out to be some sort of shortstop savant the book’s magnetic pull becomes irresistible.
The improbable friendship between catcher Mike Schwartz and the scrawny but talented Henry Skrimshander becomes the anvil that hones Henry’s baseball skills and shapes him into the well rounded player that he had always wanted to be. Henry’s faith in Mike is absolute. Anything that Mike tells him to do is done without complaint. Eventually, Henry’s offensive skills begin to catch up with his defensive skills and big league scouts start to take notice.
When an “ill wind” blows what appeared to be a perfect throw off course, Henry’s life is turned upside down. The struggle to regain his confidence before the season is over and his shot at the big leagues is ruined gives the reader a peek at the immense pressures athletes are under to perform.
Audio Production: I don’t think that I have ever had a complaint about a Holter Graham narrated audiobook. His narration lived up to all of my expectations. Great as always!
Overall: Great narration paired with a very entertaining story line that blends baseball, love and literature. Well worth your time!
Download The Art of Fielding Today!
Disclosure: I purchased this audiobook from audible.com
