The Thrill of the Grass

W.P. Kinsella writes fiction that is a reflection of his true love of baseball. His devotion to his topic is evident to his readers in each of his works of fiction that often seem too realistic to be fiction. Particularly in this collection of stories, the line between fact and fiction is blurry. "The Last Pennant Before Armageddon" is the highlight of the set as other reviewers have noted. As one might guess based on the title, the plot involves the Cubs winning the pennant. Though some countries, playoff alignments, and even teams from the story no longer exist, the end of the world would seem to be the logical conclusion to a Cubs pennant victory. The swerve at the end of the story may or may not surprise some readers. Other highlights in the set include "The Night Manny Mota Tied the Record", "The Battery", and "The Thrill of the Grass". In a plot that preceded anything written by Mitch Albom, "The Night Manny Mota Tied the Record" explores the feelings after the death of Yankee catcher Thurmon Munson. Would a hardcore (non-Yankee) baseball fan give his life to save Munson's? "The Battery" takes readers to Santo Domingo where a wizard created in the vein of author Terry Pratchett sees the birth of baseball playing twins. While at least one twin excells in baseball, the wizard is the star of this story. "The Thrill of the Grass" is set during the 1981 players' strike, though the same scenario woud apply to 1994. The narrator breaks into an empty stadium as the story begins. Though he dislikes the lack of activity, he is most appalled by the artificial turf. Though not all of the stories were gems, baseball fans are certain to enjoy this collection just as much as Kinsella's other works.

W. P. Kinsella writes with poignance and wit, capturing both the humor and the occasional tragedy of the game. This collection displays some of his best work. My alltime favorite among this collection is "The Last Pennant Before Armageddon." In the wake of the Cubs' collapse this fall, a work like this has real prescience and is somehow reassuring that there was a higher purpose behind it all. Still, there are other strong stories in the mix. In one, the narrator is offered the chance to trade places with the recently-killed Yankees catcher Thurman Munson. Another, more whimsical story takes you inside the clubhouse of the 1951 Giants, as a surprisingly literate team debates whether The Greaty Gatsby is an allegory.For me, "The Last Pennant Before Armageddon" is reason enough to buy this book. In the wake of the 2003 NLCS, I feel a dire need to read it . . . repeatedly.

Kinsella is short stories. Period. I started reading this book as an average teenager who hated baseball, sports and those who played them. I come away from it, my opinions about "jocks" shaken. If you do read it, look for the themes of desolation, failure, dreams, and a "grief cycle" which is really Kinsella's Theory of Life. Extradonairy....beyond description.

This book was not only enjoyable, but touching. The stories that Kinsella pens in this wonderful collection will change the way you look at the world. Baseball is is more than just a pastime, it is an American legacy. This book brings the romance and passion of the devoted heart of a culture to a vibrant vitality of existence, and will capture the reader in it's embrace. The traditionalists will love the story about astro-turf, and the tenacious Cub fan will love the prophetic story about armageddon. I dearly loved this collection.

Kinsella is one of *the* masters of writing about baseball in such a way that even the non-baseball afficianado can appreciate it. This book is full of short stories well worth the read, especially for baseball fans. By far, the last (and name-sake) story is the best. If anything else, it is worth it just for that last story. A baseball strike, astro-turf, and one common love: the thrill of the grass.