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Title: Spikes by Michael Griffith ISBN: 1-55970-536-1 Publisher: Arcade Books Pub. Date: 08 February, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (13 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Schwan's Rubicon
Comment: I've never played a stroke of golf (have I even hefted a club?) and I know I can't possibly stake a claim to the game using my minigolf experience: I always did hit the windmill blade as it ratcheted past the mouse hole. But so what? It doesn't matter. You don't need to know golf to enjoy "Spikes." Open yourself up to the good old-fashioned affinal angst which gets Brian going in the morning and let the surely precise mentions of four-irons, bogeys, and green strategy breeze by: the real meat of the book lies in the question: Does this journeyman golfer have the guts to make his journey into self-discovery more than just an excursion? Will he be able to choose between strong yet delusive enticements and a marriage in which he plays the role of a human pressure plate? And all this without a therapist? Find out and be entertained along the way.
As Tallulah Bankhead once said: "Nobody can be exactly like me. Sometimes even I have trouble doing it." "Spikes" is a witty, fluent and semi-sweet novel which describes one person troubling to be what he is. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4
Summary: Worth reading even if you've never played golf!
Comment: It is obvious from this book that Michael Griffith knows how to employ the tools of good fiction--solid, identifiable characters that draw you in; refreshing dialogue; amusing situations that support the narrative--without cluttering the story with the usual side streets and dead ends that are so often found in first novels. While there is no doubt that golfers will get more enjoyment out of this book than nongolfers, I'd still have enjoyed this book if it was called "Bullseye" and focused on a professional darts player (a game I've never really pursued). The book is both excellent social commentary and a thoughtful exploration of personal identity. The themes are part "Ball Four," part Martin Amis (Money, Success, or The Information), and always well-pursued. I would say this is a tad more "guy fiction" than "girl fiction," if you acknowledge such distinctions--the female characters, while superbly rendered, serve as not much more than plot devices. But what would you expect, considering it is a first-person narrative by a fictional male professional golfer? That's certainly not Oprah Winfrey Book Club domain to begin with. That said, the book is deep and multilayered, and a real hoot. The best first novel I've read in 2001 by far. The only thing keeping it from five stars in my book happens in the last couple pages--I won't spoil it by saying what that is, but rest assured it won't ruin the 250 or so excellent pages that precede them.
Rating: 1
Summary: A nice concept, but not a good story
Comment: I borrowed the unabridged audio version of this book from a local library. I was very interested to hear it, as I am an avid golfer and I enjoy a good story. Unfortunately, I have to say I was very disappointed with this book. I made it through the first few chapters before I had to stop.
The author seems to use numerous "cute" metaphors and other complex descriptions which tend to bog down the flow of the story. To me, this is an indication of a story that isn't very good and must rely on fancy dressing to hide the poor storyline beneath.
The main character is portrayed as a wisecracking, down-on-his-luck golf pro. Fair enough, and that is a good start. However, he is paired with a wife who seems to have nothing in common with him. She is into antiques and is very religious. He seems interested in neither topic. It might be believable if he were absolutely passionate about golf and would do anything, including being married to a non-compatible benefactor, to continue playing professionally. However, I got the feeling that the character just liked golf, but didn't love it.
In short, the characters and storyline just seemed poorly developed, and again, the writing style was very awkward to listen to (and read too, I would imagine).
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Title: The Pro : A Golf Novel by Michael Shropshire ISBN: 031224231X Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books Pub. Date: 22 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe: A Novel by Robert Cullen ISBN: 0060933526 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 07 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: Bibliophilia : A Novella and Stories by Michael Griffith ISBN: 1559706767 Publisher: Arcade Books Pub. Date: 09 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Take Dead Aim by Don Wade ISBN: 1585360376 Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Foursome : A Novel by Troon McAllister ISBN: 0767905725 Publisher: Broadway Pub. Date: 17 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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