Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Shoeless Joe
Book Review: Enjoyable
Summary: 4 Stars
Though I'd seen the movie, I wanted to read the book, as it's usually better. In this case, they're both well done. The only drawbacks to the book are it's overly descriptive - and I prefer descriptive detail - and too many similes, a favorite figure of speech of mine, one I use often in my writing. A few of the characters are flawed (e.g. Annie is too agreeable when Ray says he's going to cut out some of his farm land & build a baseball diamond or when he says he's going somewhere because a voice told him) but overall, it's an easy read and the visual imagery, though overdone, is good. And the idea of using baseball as a conduit for redemption between father & son and the way it is achieved, was excellent. Definitely a good book, especially if you're a huge baseball fan.Book Review: Entertaining, but over the top
Summary: 4 Stars
A must read if you liked Field of Dreams, the novel Shoeless Joe is actually a bit more complex and has additional characters. The premise of the novel is brilliant and outrageous, that Shoeless Joe Jackson comes to life when an Iowa farmer/baseball fanatic is given a mysterious directive to build a field for him, and the plot development is highly entertaining. The only drawback for me is that the prose sometimes goes over the top and gets almost psuedo-lyrical, and also the attempt to equate baseball with life is a bit overdone, but that said the book really is a lot of fun and well done.Book Review: Excellent Book
Summary: 4 Stars
The book itself is good overall and is a story that all baseball fans should read. This book is a reading level that 12 years of age and older could read, and when you do, you will get tied up in reading it all the time. At first when you start reading, you might think that it's a boring book, but you shouldn't stop because it gets better. The book starts off with Ray Kinsella, the main character, hearing a voice saying, "If you build it, he will come." This meant that if Ray built a baseball feild, Shoeless Joe Jackson would come. These words inspired him to do so, and he did. The reason this book was appealing to me was because I am into baseball myself. I think anyone could enjoy this book, baseball fan or not.
Book Review: Fantastic Baseball Story
Summary: 5 Stars
So much better than the movie! Shoeless Joe is a wonderful story about family, following your dreams, baseball, and what happens when your fantasy becomes reality. Highly recommended!Book Review: Field of Dreams, heaven? Nope, it's Iowa.
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie Field of Dreams has been my favorite movie of all time for about 15 years now. And it now tops a list of about 380 films that I have compiled. I am from Iowa, and for a period during the 1990's I attended about 2 Atlanta Braves games per year. I have since become a bigger Nascar fan and don't attend Braves games in person anymore, but I still follow the Braves in the newspaper.
I just now bought the book "Shoeless Joe" and love it. The movie has magic and the book has even more magic. Some plot points are the same between the movie and the book, and of course the book goes into more detail and has additional story threads (Kid Scissons, etc.). I attended the Field of Dreams Movie site near Dyersville, Ia for the first time in late July 2010. It is in pristine condition. The corn is high, the grass is green and mowed, the bases are white and puffy and the dirt is brown and soft. If re-takes of the movie needed to be filmed today, they could. It is preserved that well.
I may never have a moment of pure joy and magic than when I sat on the bleacher near left field at about 6pm the day I visited the field. I had my book with me and at the time I was about half way through. I jumped ahead to when Ray and J.D. pick up Archie Graham hitchhiking on their way back to Iowa and then their final approach to the property. It was perfect. Quiet, sunny, breezy, and the sights, sounds, and memories profound. I plan to return early and often and stay much longer.
As far as the book goes, I cannot be a passionless reviewer. I love the movie, and the book has provided more detail and variations on what was presented in the movie. It's been truly a delight. I'm about finished with the book and I am stalling so it will not be over. I may just start reading the book from the beginning again.
I remember reading somewhere that this book wasn't that good. Not very well written and presents a more dreary Ray Kinsella as far as his journey East to pick up the author (J.D. Salinger). They couldn't be more wrong. I'm guessing they just didn't "get it".
If you are a fan of the movie, or a fan of baseball, or just like a good story, I'd highly recommend this to you.