Paik's inspiring debut novel is an assured look at how and why it’s imperative to change traditional definitions of failure and success. The narrative centers on Brad, a former biotech researcher drifting after resigning from his job, where he refused to acquiesce to shady political maneuvers. His ex-wife Stephanie asks him to coach a softball team for 11 and 12-year-old girls as a favor, and despite initially being resistant, Brad eventually agrees. Bantering and battling with his frenemy Mike all while trying to prove something to himself, Brad adapts to his role quickly, teaching the team detailed drills and improving their performance.As Brad deals with all sorts of outside interference, like intrusive parents and hypercompetitive opposing coaches, his team progresses and bonds with each other. When the season ends, every member takes something important from the experience—none more so than Brad and Mike. Without hammering it home too obviously, Paik makes restrained use of Brad's gardening hobby as a metaphor for how he's helping his players grow, and the politics he encounters as a coach tellingly resembles the nonsense he had to endure as a researcher. On the downside, Mike is slightly undercooked as a secondary protagonist: he's not in the book long enough to be fully developed, but he still takes up a lot of space.
The girls are sometimes presented as a bit of a mystery that Brad has to crack, though Paik wisely focuses on how they relate to their coach and each other in the context of competitive gameplay and their developing chemistry during practices. The emotional payoff in the climax is well-earned, and Paik successfully makes readers feel invested in every character. The theme of taking a chance and getting out of one's comfort zone is reinforced throughout the story, culminating in plot changes that come across as smooth and natural. This is a fascinating exercise in exploring camaraderie and hard work without a particular reward in mind.
Takeaway: This rich character study of a man dealing with a mid-life crisis through coaching is full of small, resonant details.
Great for fans of: Richard Russo’s Bridge of Sighs, Anne Tyler’s Clock Dance.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+
