Title: For Love of the Game
Author: Michael Shaara
Date of publication: 1991
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Type of fiction: Romance- Drama
Summarize the plot in fewer than 100 words: For Love of the Game takes the reader trough
long time Detroit Tigers' pitcher Billy Chapel's final game. The morning leading up to the last
game of the season, Billy is given the disappointing news that he is going to be traded at season's
end. Feeling betrayed by the organization, Billy still goes out to the ballpark and proceeds to
pitch the game. Through the course of the game he thinks back on some of the happier times in
his life, in which he spent time with his girlfriend Carol, who he has not heard from in some
time. Being too involved with his memories of Carol, Billy does not realize that he is pitching a
perfect game.
Setting of the plot: Present day New York
Characterization effect- Billy is described as a dedicated baseball player who plays, as the title
indicates, for love of the game. In an era when all athletes are worried about their contracts and
paychecks, Billy plays baseball because he enjoys it. As well as being dedicated to his job, Billy
is also very loyal to his team. After hearing he was going to be traded, he could have very easily
not shown up to the game, or lost it on purpose. Instead, he went out to pitch, and his hard work
payed off in the form of a perfect game.
Tone or mode: For a baseball fan, this book is as good as it gets. It is a very exciting book that
keeps the reader on the edge of his seat, wondering if Chapel will complete the perfect game.
Although the beginning of the book is sad in the eyes of Billy, the book itself is suspenseful as
well as happy. The suspense lies in wondering what the next batter will do, while the happiness
is when Billy looks back at the special moments in his life.
Theme: ...