Review by iLY98 -- The Fat Lady's Low, Sad Song

[iLY98]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Fat Lady's Low, Sad Song" by Brian Kaufman.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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As the story starts Parker is anxiously waiting for a call from one of the teams in the major league but instead, fortunately, or unfortunately gets a call from an independent team. As the phone conversation ensues Parker comes to terms with reality and accepts the offer. Parker Westfall is a 20 something-year-old man on the back nine of his baseball career. Throughout the book, he is caught in between still hoping that's there still a better future for him in baseball and accepting that maybe it’s time to throw the towel in.

Brian Kaufman wonderfully portrays the emotions and thoughts of the protagonist. The struggles of the protagonist are those that everyone can or will relate to in life even if they know nothing concerning baseball. Hoping earnestly that you still have a shot while knowing deep down that your time is up, pride so high that you can't accept the opportunities that come to you while being deeply grateful deep down that they crossed your way anyway. The hurt that comes with consciously realizing that your time IS up, and you need to move on now.

The occasional humor caught me off guard that I found myself out of breath from laughing so much. The book contains the casual use of locker room profanity. If you are not a fan of baseball or simply have no interest in it, it may be difficult to understand the lexicography of the sport that is used in the book, but it shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the heart of the story.I don’t think it’s completely impossible to read this book if you are not a baseball or sports fan. The heart of the story is something everyone from all walks of life can relate to, but I do admit it can be rather distracting to try and follow that story when you are reading through a bunch of baseball jargon that you may not really understand; hence this book may just be for the avid baseball lover. That being said, even if you are not a baseball fan but want to challenge yourself then have a go at this book.

The author told the story from every character’s point of view not just from the main character's point of view, which I think did a lot to make the book come alive. The scene where Courtney's parents came to watch her game touched me. I felt what she was feeling, her frustration, her anger, her sadness and her eagerness to prove herself. I do believe that this book was professionally edited and has an interesting plot so I'll give it a 4 out 4, more so for how well the story manages to make its readers aware of just how life can be sometimes. This is not your typical story about a hero emerging in the end neither does it emphasize a happy ending, instead it shows how similar life is to a never-ending journey, sometimes you achieve your goals and sometimes you don't, but don't fret cause you can always take with you the lessons from those experiences and move on to other things. I do feel that the protagonist and all supporting characters are heroes in their own right. Westfall, for fighting so hard to live his childhood dreams and Courtney for braving the storms of gender inequality and prejudice that come with being the only girl in an independent baseball league.

There really isn't anything to dislike about this book.Towards the end of the book, I'm left feeling ecstatic and inspired. The Fat lady’s low, sad song, anybody can tell from the title of this book what the theme is about. But what I loved the most is how the message was portrayed through the lives of not just the main character but all those around him. A story that can resonate with anyone at any point in life. Sometimes we must give up the things we have dedicated most of our lives to, not because we want to but because it’s time to move on and do greater things, rediscover our potential. As we come to terms with hearing, instead of fighting the Fat lady’s song, we can prepare ourselves for the opportunities that lie ahead for us.

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The Fat Lady's Low, Sad Song
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[Erin Painter Baker]

This sounds like a wonderful book about learning to accept the end of what was and look for the beginning of what is to come.

[maggi3]

Even though I don’t know too much about baseball, this one sounds interesting. I’m especially intrigued about Courtney’s story and how the other characters treat her. Thanks for the review!