Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Shoeless Joe
Book Review: A great read
Summary: 5 Stars
Because of the way books are marketed, Shoeless Joe is considered mainstream, but actually it is a perfect example of the way a fantasy novel should be written. While the movie actually improves on the book, the novel is a wonderful blend of baseball, literature, and the Twilight Zone. I'm not a baseball fan at all, but I loved it.Book Review: A literary masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
The book Shoeless Joe, by W.P. Kinsella is in my opinion a literary masterpiece of fiction. The book is about a man named Ray Kinsella who is a farmer in Iowa. He has a wife named Annie and a daughter named Karin. The book takes place in Iowa, in the 1980s. When Ray is in his cornfield one day he hears the voice. It says to him "If you build it, he will come." Ray does not know what to think when he hears this. Then he sees an image of a baseball field. Ray decides to plow under his corn to build this baseball field so that old-time baseball players including the great shoeless Joe Jackson will come and play on the baseball field. In his search for the real meaning of building the baseball field, Ray hears two more messages. "Ease his pain", and " Go the distance." In the end of the book, Ray finds the meaning of the messages and building the baseball field. To see his father again and to heal the wounds they had in their relationship. They do this by playing catch. I thought that part of the book was extremely meaningful because it's a boy having a catch with his father that they never got a chance to do. After Ray plows under his farm and builds his baseball field he goes broke because he does not have enough crops to sell. At the end of the book his daughter Karin tells him that people will come to see the baseball field because they will get bored in Iowa and will need something to do so they will buy a ticket to see a game. This way Ray will have enough money to keep the farm. I think that all the characters in Shoeless Joe learned that dreams can come true if you really believe. People can learn from this book that you must have hope for some things and you have to believe. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves baseball, and that has a great imagination. I think that W.P Kinsella's purpose of writing Shoeless Joe was to not only entertain the reader but also to tell the reader that dreams really can come true.Book Review: A literary masterpiece...
Summary: 5 Stars
There is a famous quote floating around out there that conveys the essence of baseball and this novel: "Many attend, but few understand." Put simply, this book is a work for true lovers of the game. If you heart doesn't skip a beat on opening day, or you don't appreciate the smell of old leather and fresh cut grass, then this book is not for you. If you look down upon people who are oversentimental and nostalgic, then this book is not for you. But if you do understand the game and how it is a symbol of America and of youth and memory and peace and beauty, then buy a copy of this book. There are passages in "Shoeless Joe" that continue to amaze me. Prose in the form of poetry. The best baseball novel ever written. No contest.Book Review: A rare occurence where the book and the movie are both excellent for separate reasons
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're like me, reading Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella for the first time after being a long time fan of the movie, then you're in for a treat. Of course, if you expect it to read like a novelization of Field of Dreams, then you'll be disappointed.
The story is a deliberate and passionate journey of a man following a crazy voice in his head to build a baseball field in place of the crops on his Iowa farm. He risks his family's livelihood for the sake of a dream, and because he loves his wife, daughter, Iowa and baseball. The writing is leisurely as if stretching back across the 20th century from the very time of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Give yourself time to get enveloped in this one.
Book Review: An adventure through a pastime
Summary: 4 Stars
"If you build it he will come", an unfamiliar voice softly whispers in through the cornfield. These few words change Iowa farmer, Ray Kinsella's life. From minimal instruction Ray tears up a part of his precious corn crop on a hunch. In its place he builds a baseball field for his long dead idol. Shoeless Joe brings together the love a son has for his father, and the power of belief in a legend. The book also has a movie that was introduced in 1989, and it stars Kevin Costner. Although the movie definitely made history, the book brings a lot more things to the reader's attention. For example the movie never says anything about his long lost twin brother Richard, who left home early in life never to return until Ray builds the field. The wind like voices and the baseball field are on the beginning to the real adventure, and I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who wants to return to their pastime.