The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Paperback $29.99

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 longtime 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.

“Reading The Art of Fielding is like watching a hugely gifted young shortstop: you keep waiting for the errors, but there are no errors. First novels this complete and consuming come along very, very seldom.” — Jonathan Franzen

Elliot Perlman, award-winning author of Three Dollars and Seven Types of Ambiguity, will discuss his latest book, The Street Sweeper at Fitzroy Town Hall.

Perlman has attracted a legion of fans with his insightful and beautifully crafted writing style.His latest book, The Street Sweeper, is an epic tale which deals with memory, love, racism, guilt, heroism and kindness, in a story which spans the globe.

At this special event, Elliot Perlman will discuss the book and his other writing with author and literary columnist Jane Sullivan.

Bookings are essential. 

Date: 22nd February 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Location: Fitzroy Town Hall, Reading Room, 201 Napier Street, Fitzroy

Phone: 1300 695 427 Email: yarralibraries@yarracity.vic.gov.au