THE SPORTSWRITER

Frank Bascombe is defined by a variety of his relationships, his writing career, and an introspective take on his life. Richard Ford crafts this story, from the mind’s eye of a sportswriter, and Richard Poe gently shapes it with his narration. Supporting characters come and go and remain distinguishable, but it’s the protagonist who deserves—and receives—the most attention. There’s no yelling or screaming, just an emotional portrait woven by both writer and narrator of a man in his late 30s on a journey. Dialogue and sports jargon are limited, but Ford and Poe achieve a nice pace in this novel, which has a touch of THE CATCHER IN THE RYE in its approach. M.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2012]