Salinger

Just finished the book "Shoeless Joe" by WP Kinsella. You might know the more popular version, the movie "Field of Dreams." Liked the movie, loved the book. Instead of the surface glossing of the film, the book goes into just why these characters care, and why their obsessions matter. It's the detail, the lyricism, and the depth that make the book so much better than the film.

The book has a fictional device, where the protagonist essentially kidnaps the reclusive, now recently-deceased, J. D. Salinger. It treats Salinger as a person, a writer, and a metaphor. Since Salinger so recently passed away, I found this especially poignant and touching. A trifle haunting as well. While there are other ghosts within the narrative, he is the one who now stands out.

If you love baseball, this is a great book for you. If you love Iowa, or what it means to work the land, this is a great book for you. If you love finding meaning in this insane world, this is a great book for you.