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Jerome Klinkowitz
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Basepaths (Johns Hopkins: Poetry and Fiction) Hardcover – April 1, 1995

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In the timeless world of fiction it is "next year" for the Mason City Royals of Jerry Klinkowitz's award-winning Short Season and Other Stories.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Johns Hopkins University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0801850924
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0801850929
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using sports lingo and the arcana of baseball to create rich atmosphere, Klinkowitz's second outing (after Short Season and Other Stories, 1988) is a satisfying stylistic achievement. Through the eyes of Ken Boyenga, an ex-major league catcher turned manager, the author portrays with real affection the world of minor league ball and the podunk towns that host teams like the Mason City Royals. Everyone in this flat Iowa landscape is minor-league himself, yet likable: the red-faced club president; his cheapskate garbage-collector colleague; a hairy redneck car salesman named Crazy Jim. In fact, the players and game are little more than backdrop to the host of well-drawn middle-aged screwballs that train, fund and feed the teams out of dedication to the sport. Klinkowitz's touch is less sure with his plotting, however. Many of the major narrative steps feel sketchy, and the farcical climax rushed, as suddenly the police, a romance writer, two pranksters, a mother-in-law and a Neo-Nazi get involved. Boyenga, our hero, remains the straight man throughout. His ultimate failure at a new career strikes a melancholy note, leaving the question: Is baseball just another cruel idol people worship or is the survival of its perpetual zaniness more important than any one player?

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA--Basepaths traces the minor-league managing career of former major-league catcher Ken Boyenga as he guides the Mason City (Iowa) Royals. After choosing Mason City over a collegiate coaching position, Boyenga is confronted with the foibles of a small-town team's board of directors, the puerile antics of his players, and the re-establishment of his marriage after a four-and-a-half month separation. At first he seems to float above all of the scheming and machinations, but eventually the hapless rookie manager is drawn inexorably into far-reaching situations. As time passes, the individual subtexts take on a life of their own and readers are carried along much like a passenger in a particularly stimulating cab ride. The cast of characters is large. Klinkowitz captures the feeling of being thrust into a position of leadership perfectly. The story is short enough to maintain YAs' interest; much like a good baseball game, the action is broken into easily digestible scenarios. The intricate situations that the author develops are diverse and humorous and often lead to knowing smiles--if not outright laughter--brought on by the all-too-human condition.

Mark J. Hyer, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Johns Hopkins University Press; First Edition (April 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0801850924
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0801850929
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches

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Jerome Klinkowitz

Jerome Klinkowitz

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