Customer Reviews

Suitcase Sefton and the American Dream

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought when I ordered this book that I would be treated to a
novel about baseball and I certainly was, but baseball is just the backdrop to its fascinating story. The book vividly brought to light the national disgrace of taking American citizens and their families, removing them from their homes and placing them in internment camps for the duration of WW2. Jay Feldman skill-
fully has woven a baseball scout's discovery of a young Japanese-
American pitcher in one of the camps and his involvement with the pitcher's family and created a story of pathos and humaniity.
Written by Jack Ziebel

Baseball, a beautiful girl, and a made-it-to-the-Show protagonist in search of meaning--what else is there? This book has it all. A plot which finds us driving the American south of 1942 scouting for star baseball players also offers a fascinating perspective on Japanese American life during the time of internment camps. Through Feldman's often lyrical prose, we face first-hand both racism run amok as well as the depth of human compassion and the intricate struggle for equality. But it is the personal story of loss and discovery that gives the book its greatest energy. Sefton, himself, is endearing, bumbling through what seems to be a first love, and always sincere. As rich are the characterizations of the Yamada family. It was spring, so I read Suitcase Sefton to celebrate the season. But I came away with a great deal more--enough to last through all the seasons of the human heart and wit.

This book shines on many levels. The backdrop for the story is a WWII internment camp for Japanese-Americans. But it's also about baseball, history, love, shame, and redemption. The narrative breathes life into all of these subjects, and the writer shows respect for every corner of the fictional world he's created. It's a page-turner, too. I started reading "Suitcase" yesterday and just hit the seventh inning stretch...Twenty pages to go!

What I liked most about this novel was the way in which the author brought baseball and World War II to life. The time period was very well depicted and made real, as were conditions in the Japanese concentration camp. So, too, was the life of a baseball scout in that time brought to life. The characters were sympathetic. When I finished the story I passed it on to a friend. What keeps me from giving the story five stars is that I just couldn't believe the premise: that a major league scout would want to sign a Japanese-American from a concentration camp. Somehow, within the context of the novel, this seemed more plot device than believable.

Congratulations to Jay Feldman on this delightful work. His thorough understanding of the era, interspersed with an obvious knowledge and love of baseball, plus human elements... they all add to an enjoyable and worthwhile/memorable book.