The Novels of Henry Wiggen by Mark HarrisThere is no doubt that sports and athletes seem to be considered unworthy subjects for writers of serious fiction, a strange fact given how deeply rooted they are. in North American culture, how sport is present and how clearly and passionately North Americans care about it as participants and spectators. In this society of diverse peoples with widely varying interests, tastes, and beliefs, no experience is as universal as playing or watching a sport, and so it is simply perplexing how little fiction for adults is written on the subject, not to mention the lightness with which it is viewed. little of what is written seems to be. Everything should be quite the opposite; Mark Harris amply demonstrates that our fascination and familiarity with sport makes it a most advantageous subject for the experienced fiction writer. In his novels The Southpaw (1953), Bang The Drum Slowly (1956), A Ticket For A Seamstitch (1957). ), and It Looked Like For Ever (1979), Harris recounts the life of Henry “Author” Wiggen, a great major league baseball star. Featuring memorable characters and skillful storytelling, these books explore the experience of aging, learning, and living through time, with baseball as a backdrop. Henry's first-person narrative is the most important element of these stories. Through him, he recounts the events of his life, his experiences with others, his achievements and his troubles. The great achievement of this narrative voice is how it effortlessly reveals Henry's limited education while simultaneously demonstrating his keen intelligence, all in an entertaining and compelling manner. Henry introduces himself by introducing his hometown of Perkinsville, New York, after which his dismal g...... middle of paper ...... because they are so well written. The expertly crafted narrative voice, easy humor, compelling characterization, and thoughtful, even philosophical storytelling combine to create a series of books that compare favorably to many on the recent list of 100 Best Novels. 20th century Modern Library, which does not appear to be the case. contain a single novel set in the world of sport. This apparent lack of respect for literature dealing with sport is a curious prejudice, against which these novels represent a pointed and warm reproach. Works Cited Harris, Mark. A ticket for a sewing point. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984.---. Strike the drum slowly. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984.---. It seemed like an eternity. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1989.---. The left-hander. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1984.