| Revision as of 06:51, 7 October 2017 editMichaelh2001 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users8,478 editsm Michaelh2001 moved page If I Never Get Back: A Novel to If I Never Get Back (novel): ": A novel" has never been a part of this books title. Making the title of this Misplaced Pages page more precise← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:55, 31 October 2018 edit undoTimrollpickering (talk | contribs)Administrators354,032 editsm Moving from Category:Time travel novels to Category:Novels about time travel per Misplaced Pages:Categories for discussion/Log/2018 October 23 using Cat-a-lotNext edit → | ||
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Revision as of 11:55, 31 October 2018
If I Never Get Back is the 1990 debut novel of American writer Darryl Brock.
In the novel, a modern-day San Francisco journalist named Sam Fowler steps off an Amtrak train and finds himself in 1869. He joins the Cincinnati Red Stockings baseball team, meets Mark Twain, and falls in love with a woman of the times. The novel takes its name from lyrics in the baseball-themed song, Take Me Out to the Ball Game.
Critical reception
The New York Times said the book "takes the reader out to the old ball game with great charm", while the Los Angeles Times called it "the wildest and most satisfying yarn since W. P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe".
Legacy
Because of its detailed description of nineteenth century baseball rules, the book is said to have inspired many Vintage Base Ball clubs to form throughout the United States. Brock said of these clubs, "They invite me to their conventions because my character does what they all want to do: They want to go back in time."
Sequel
Brock wrote a sequel in 2002 entitled, Two in the Field.
References
- "Mitgang, Herbert. "Books of The Times; When Baseball Was Young and Play Was Rough". New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Mar 28, 1990. pg. C.19
- Tuber, Keith. "Past and Future Meld in a Tale of 1869 Ballists: If I Never Get Back by Darryl Brock". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Mar 15, 1990. pg. 13
- "My, what changes baseball has seen with time's passing". The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, Calif.: May 13, 2001. pg. C.2
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