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benhourigan's review against another edition
4.0
I've been raving about this book for months, chiefly on the basis of its opening chapters, which for me were an unprecedented exposition in art (and such beautiful art, at that) of the value of the ordinary, uncelebrated life. It's something I am often deep need of being reminded of, so often do I feel myself a failure, and curiously enough, it's one of the things I hope to remind others of later in my writing career. Maybe not just now—my first two books deal with the issues of one who (falsely?) thinks themselves exceptional.
*The Sportswriter* is, I think, something that every adult should read, even those such as myself who don't like sports. It is a thoroughly grown-up book, the kind I find consoling in my early thirties, and that I know I would have loathed in my teens, providing as it does no escape into imaginary worlds. But that's precisely the point: *The Sportswriter* is about coming to terms with where you find yourself, which is likely in some way a disappointment to you, but nevertheless full of charm because after all, this is what life is and it is all you have.
As much as I love this book, though, I must admit that I lost momentum several times while reading it: the shock of hearing the ordinary praised so eloquently cannot quite carry the whole book. There is a thrilling afternoon of catastrophe towards the end, a very bad day which the hero, Frank Bascombe, endures with admirable grace, but apart from this, the later parts lack a narrative pull that draws you on—or at least, that can draw me on, in a distracted state of mind. It is testament to *The Sportswriter's* quality that I view this as much my failing as the book's.
*The Sportswriter* is, I think, something that every adult should read, even those such as myself who don't like sports. It is a thoroughly grown-up book, the kind I find consoling in my early thirties, and that I know I would have loathed in my teens, providing as it does no escape into imaginary worlds. But that's precisely the point: *The Sportswriter* is about coming to terms with where you find yourself, which is likely in some way a disappointment to you, but nevertheless full of charm because after all, this is what life is and it is all you have.
As much as I love this book, though, I must admit that I lost momentum several times while reading it: the shock of hearing the ordinary praised so eloquently cannot quite carry the whole book. There is a thrilling afternoon of catastrophe towards the end, a very bad day which the hero, Frank Bascombe, endures with admirable grace, but apart from this, the later parts lack a narrative pull that draws you on—or at least, that can draw me on, in a distracted state of mind. It is testament to *The Sportswriter's* quality that I view this as much my failing as the book's.
jarthur's review against another edition
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pained_creations's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this mostly pessimistic story overall. It was a bit slow in places, and the main character is definitely a man-child still trying to figure out himself and his life. Deals with divorce and the loss of a child.
rbixby's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent writing. A hard book to read if you are of a certain age and level of success.
alisonjfields's review
4.0
A gorgeously written, often funny book about men and denial. It raises many questions about the nature of grief and the fine line between optimism and self-delusion. One of my favorites in the introspective-man-in-suburbia-has-midlife-crisis genre.
lekakis's review against another edition
2.0
Spending hours in Frank Bascombe’s head, well...that's what the book is. I really tried to engage with the book but I found it difficult to care. They were some good moments but it's mostly incoherent thoughts that demonstrate the state of being of the protagonist. Full of regrets, mid-life stuff, death, divorce...what a joy.
The book hasn't aged really well.
The book hasn't aged really well.
colleen930's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nnw's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
he’s so freaking terrible. like this is insane, i am struggling to find a redeeming quality in this guy. i think i was mostly pulled in by the people around him. honestly frank is like scott pilgrim without the whimsy that really makes scott tolerable. and like maybe that’s the point but i truly hate this man.
djb21au's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It feels a bit dated now, but the writing is fantastic and we come to like the central character. Definitely a slow mover though.
cazinthehat's review against another edition
4.0
The ONLY reason I gave this 4 star not 5 was the last chapter - "and this is how I feel about it" gush which the book really didn't need. Then again, Frank Bascombe is a writer so I suppose it made sense that he would be writing about his feelings. Apart from that it's a really superb book.