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It's Alison Gordon time again! Seems like it comes earlier every year.


Title: Striking Out

Published: McClelland & Stewart 1995
# Pages: 271
Availability: Out of print, but available used. For some reason the Chapters/Indigo entry for this book credits it to "Gail Bowen"; no idea what's up with that

Written By: Alison Gordon
Who Is: Same person she was the last three times I did one of her books for this site

What It's About: It's another Kate Henry mystery novel. This one's about a homeless woman who disappears and seems to be mixed up in a murder. Not as much baseball content in this one: the players are on strike and Kate therefore has lots of free time.

How's the Writing: Decent; I've read worse. Sometimes the dialogue is clunky. Sometimes she conveys opinions that aren't developed enough to be the kind of insight traditionally worth publishing; they're just her opinions. Also, she just can't resist pushing the obvious buttons. Of course the one character was sexually abused by her father; of course there's child porn hidden in the cabinet.

What do I like about it... Well, I'm used to Gordon's authorial voice, and I like the Toronto setting and the baseball-related subject matter. But that's not really what I mean. What do I like about the writing? I don't know, but she's doing something right that I can't put my finger on.

The solution to the mystery itself isn't a particularly clever one; it's just something you find out if you read the story for long enough. Uninspired, is the word that comes to mind.

Still, I kinda like these books. I'm sure I'll read it again.
10/09 Blue Jays Library in a Box: Striking Out | 3 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
brent - Friday, October 09 2009 @ 12:44 AM EDT (#207273) #
12 threads in 3 days has me wondering what has happened at the Box. It was hard to get one thread a day during the season.
Mike Green - Friday, October 09 2009 @ 09:27 AM EDT (#207275) #
Nice, Matthew.  This has nothing to do with baseball, but if you have not read either of Joseph Boyden's books- Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce, I highly recommend that you give them a go.  Great writing.  Ideal on a rainy fall afternoon because both are hard to put down.

"Sugar" is out on DVD and also highly recommended.  Seeing "Baseball Consultant- Jose Rijo" in the credits is kinda fun.



John Northey - Friday, October 09 2009 @ 09:41 AM EDT (#207277) #
I think the pain of a frustrating regular season hit all of us and with it being over ideas are shooting through everyone's mind again.  The hope of 2010 (be it to rebuild for the future or try to go for it at least is more interesting than fighting for a better draft slot) is a big factor.

I know I've had a few ideas for entries but with 3 girls and a busy work schedule I haven't had time to start on any of them.  During the season it was just too hard to do it.

10/09 Blue Jays Library in a Box: Striking Out | 3 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.