Customer Reviews

The Southpaw

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Mark Harris' first installment in the Henry Wiggen series (there are four books total) is one of the finest baseball novels written. "The Southpaw" is the story of left-handed pitching phenom Henry Wiggen and his early career as a professional baseball star.

The novel is told in the form of Henry Wiggen's diary and the writing does take some getting used to as Henry's prose isn't particularly high caliber. It is, however, very real and its simplicity adds to the novel's sense of realism. Henry begins by talking about his father's (also a pitcher) career and then proceeds to discuss (briefly) his own high school career, his brief minor league career, and finally (in much more detail) his first season as a major leaguer.

The novel takes place in the early 1950s and as you read Henry's account you will be transported back in time to when ball players' contracts were in the $1K range and pitchers pitched 16-inning ball games and pitched on two-days rest. It's a great baseball book in that it gives some insight into the art of pitching and being a ballplayer in general, but it's much more than that. And those without an extensive knowledge of the wonderful game of baseball won't be lost or confused in reading it (it's not overly technical). Henry's essentially a young adult (early twenties at the end of the novel) and his growth experiences are listed (by Henry) right alongside his baseball experiences. "The Southpaw" is a fascinating read and provides a nice glimpse into baseball life (and life in general) in early 1950s America.

A great book and highly recommended reading--particularly for fans of baseball.

I read this book at least once a year when I was growing up in the early 60's. The first few times were for the baseball, but that became less & less important. I insisted my fiance read it before we were married so she could understand "where I was coming from". I'm here(at Amazon.com) now to buy copies for some friends of mine. I wish it was still available in hardcover! I couldn't recommend it more highly.

The story of Henry Wiggen and the New York Mammoths is one of the most enjoyable novels I have ever read. You will not want this story to end as Henry finds his way from small town to big city and to the big leagues. This simply and beautifully written novel is filled with timeless truths about life and baseball. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

"The Southpaw" begins the great four book series on the career of New York Mammoth pitcher Henry Wiggen. Full of comedy, memorable characters and all the trials of a rookie in the major leagues. This is truly one of the best pieces of baseball fiction ever written, along with Philip Roth's "The Great American Novel", and I didn't want it to end. If you're a baseball fan you can't go wrong with this hilarious and loving tribute to the game.

The first Henry Wiggen novel is the best of them all. While not as well known as Bang the Drum Slowly, which is its sequel and which certainly deserves the praise it has received, The Southpaw is a wise, touching, and very funny book about a young man's coming of age in post-war America. All of the big themes of American life are here in a short, first person novel written in dialect (so hard to do well, here so effortless) about a young pitcher's journey to the major leagues -- race, class, ambition, envy, fame, friendship, love. All treated deftly, and with good humor. Finally, Henry Wiggen is as fresh and attractive as any character in recent American fiction. Read all of the Wiggen books, but start here.

being a big baseball fan, i'm always on the lookout for baseball literature. it wasn't until recently that i came across 'the southpaw,' but i'm sure glad i did.

in an era where so many authors feel duty-bound to dazzle their readers with their million-dollar vocabularies, clever turns-of-phrase, and over-wrought use of simile and metaphor, and continual one-upmanship, 'the southpaw' is a literal breath of fresh air. it's a lot like 'to kill a mockingbird' in that often the deepest and most meaningful of sentiments are usually expressed simply, thoughtfully, and don't require a lot $10 words to get it across. unfortunately, a lot of today's 'literature' is completely unreadable, a fate 'the southpaw' thankfully avoids.

mark harris is a very seductive writer, in the truest sense of the word. he so effortlessly pulls you into wiggens' world and its colorful (not 'quirky') cast of characters. you sometimes read four or five (or more) pages and not a thing happens to push the plot along, but so engaging is wiggens' voice, so likeable (using '1' instead of 'one' and 'a-tall' instead of 'at all') his guileless character, that you can't help but continue reading and enjoying every second of it.

at its core, 'the southpaw' is a simple story about a pitcher's journey from flame-throwing adolescent to star pitcher for the fictional new york mammoths, but what a journey it is. harris tackles a lot of topics (racism, segregation, economics, fidelity, power and class struggles, etc), and in doing so, elevates it from a simple, nostalgic yarn to a complex literary work simply told. literature need not be depressing and bleak (contrary to what some of my profs told me). 'the southpaw' is a prime example of great literature that doesn't wallow in its own gloom. i loved reading it. if you're a fan of baseball, and even if you're not, this book comes highly recommended.

Mark Harris wrote perhaps the finest baseball novel ever with "The Southpaw." The book portrays the coming of age of a young left-handed pitching prodigy, Henry Wiggen, as he tries to make his mark in the majors in the 1950s. The book is written as a memoir by Wiggen himself after his rookie season with the New York Mammoths. The Mammoths are chasing a pennant and Wiggen is seeking to become "an immortal" and a man. Laconic, wry, amusing and gripping all at the same time, Wiggen's memoir slowly but surely draws in the reader. I had to get up at 5 in the morning to finish the last 100 pages to find out what happened to Henry and the Mammoths. Truly a "perfect game" for Harris.

I am 10 years of age, and I loved this book! The authors style is very unique. If you want a short summary of this book, here it is:

The main character in this book is named Henry Wiggen. He lives with his father and his girlfriend. His father is a Southpaw, and so is he. His father is a very good pitcher, and has taught him a lot about pitching. He signs a contract with the New York Mammoths. He makes 3 good friends in AA, and movesto the big leauges.

In addition to being a very good book, this gives you a lot of info on pitching, like hat pitches are better to use when the wind it blowing this way, or epending on if it is day or night.

I certainly reccomend this book!

Mac

"Bang the Drum Slowly" may be better known, and in some places more highly rated, but I enjoyed "The Southpaw" at least as much. Henry Wiggen is one of the most likable characters, even when he gets a little too big for his britches. And he is definitely a character, not far out of Mark Twain's central casting. Maybe things roll a little too easy for him and the Mammoths at times, but you're rooting for them all the way. If you like baseball fiction and haven't read "The Southpaw" yet, you owe it to yourself to order it. I've read it twice and will read it many more times.

This is the first of the Henry Wiggin stories. The most famous being Bang the Drum Slowly. I have not before read any of these stories, but I will now make it a point of reading the other three.

The story reads like an autobiography of a rookie pitcher in his first season with the New York team. This style predates the several nonfiction books of athletes writing about a season in their career. Although the time period is several decades ago, the material is still relevant for any true baseball fan.

The main character is shown through his writings as developing from a single minded adolescent into a maturing adult. The story is especially good in having two strong females who are not stereotypical characters. The supporting characters are believable and fun in a Damon Runyon like way. I strongly recommend this book as an example of sports fiction at its best.