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The Natural
The Natural
Author: Bernard Malamud
The Natural, Bernard Malamud’s first novel, was published in 1952 and probably is still the finest novel written about baseball. It was the basis for the 1984 movie starring Robert Redford, and the novel itself was based on the bizarre shooting and subsequent comeback of Philadelphia Phillies player Eddie Waitkus. The Natural follows Roy Hobbs, ...  more »
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ISBN: 456147
Publication Date: 1970
Pages: 237
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The Natural on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Powerful, mythic, wonderful use of language.
reviewed The Natural on + 552 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
THE FINEST NOVEL ABOUT BASEBALL SINCE RING LARDNER LEFT THE SCENE.
reviewed The Natural on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Malamud's prose does a wonderful job capturing the essence of what baseball is: brief moments of chaotic action amid long stretches of patient passivity.
reviewed The Natural on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As a fan of baseball I eagerly anticipated reading "The Natural" by Bernard Malamud. I, personally, was disappointed. Not that the writing was bad, it wasn't but I do not believe that the author has ever watched a game of baseball or if he has then he doesn't know enough about the game to write intelligently about baseball. There are just too many instances where the story lost me because the time wasn't taken and experts consulted to get the rules of the game straight.
nursenancy avatar reviewed The Natural on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Liked the movie so much better, which is not usually the case for me.
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reviewed The Natural on + 29 more book reviews
This is supposed to be a classic novel. I just couldn't get into it. Probably because I have the edition w/movie stills plastered all over it and that really turned me off to the book.

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