Do You like book Brittle Innings (1995)?
This is an excellent story about a youngster, Daniel Boles, fresh out of high school and his adventure as a Class-C minor league ballplayer in 1943. I loved the descriptions of ball games and Danny's teammates. One teammate in particular becomes his friend and one teammate is the protagonist. The atmosphere of small-town America in the South during WWII is captured well; the slang and slurs to the brands on ad boards in the outfield. Many secrets (one is reason for my fantasy bookshelf--no spoilers here) slowly unfold and become the basis for the book, with baseball as a steamy summer background. Certainly worth 4 stars out of 5
—Murphious
A friend at work asked me to read this as it was his favorite book. WHen I do that I never read anything, I just open the book and start reading, so I had NO IDEA about the concept of what the book was going to be about. It started of slow (for me anyway) but I trusted him so I kept going. Well it turned out to be one of the best, most SHOCKING storylines I have ever read. A truly WTF moment when you realize what is really going on and who the charachter turns out to really be!!! I won't give it away but I have to say Bishop took an unbelievable story and made it believable. Slowly but surely you are sucked in and the next thing you know, you are totally hooked. One of the best books I have ever read... No question..
—Joyce
I was told that this was the only juxtaposition of a baseball book with science fiction. It turned out to be one of the most odd things that I have ever read. Danny Boles is a seventeen year-old shortstop in the midst of World War II. When he graduates high school early, he's hired to play minor league ball for a Class C team deep in Georgia. When he arrives, he plays dumb, literally, to cover his stammer, anxiety, difficulties dealing with men. He is assigned to room with the gargantuan and reclusive but eloquent and educated first baseman, Jumbo. Jumbo, as odd as he is, helps Danny survive the persecution of the men threatened by his talent. At this point, you may be wondering where the science fiction is. 200 pages in, I was as well. The revelation of what is going on is.... surprising to say the least. The first 300 pages are tough going, but once the book gains traction, with the climax in sight, it becomes compelling. This is not a great book. Bishop seems to be trying to make a deep statement about fathers and sons, but it fails to ring true. It's also not for the faint of heart. There is very disturbing content. In the end, I would say that if you're dying of curiosity, ask me for spoilers. Unless you're truly a prolific reader, this is a waste of time.
—Kevin