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Ducks on the Pond: A Novel
Reuben Downes is a Mallard, the kind that dominates the Co-Ed Fastpitch Softball League for Adults in Western Vermont, aka the Coleslaw League.
A newcomer to both the team and the town, Reuben is seen as the oddball outsider by his teammates and the curious, often opinionated locals. So, when he puts an “art” installation in his backyard that sets off a firestorm in the community, people demand answers about what it means.
But Reuben, always more inclined to let others call the shots, keeps his motivations to himself. That is, until his inaction raises an ominous threat to the people around him. And in the real world, as with softball, when the bases are loaded and your teammates are counting on you, it’s time to step up to the plate — even if for Reuben, there’s a real possibility of striking out.
Written with sharp humor and a deep affection for small-town living, sports, and the cadence of the seasons, Ducks on the Pond is about what it takes to fully engage in life.
A newcomer to both the team and the town, Reuben is seen as the oddball outsider by his teammates and the curious, often opinionated locals. So, when he puts an “art” installation in his backyard that sets off a firestorm in the community, people demand answers about what it means.
But Reuben, always more inclined to let others call the shots, keeps his motivations to himself. That is, until his inaction raises an ominous threat to the people around him. And in the real world, as with softball, when the bases are loaded and your teammates are counting on you, it’s time to step up to the plate — even if for Reuben, there’s a real possibility of striking out.
Written with sharp humor and a deep affection for small-town living, sports, and the cadence of the seasons, Ducks on the Pond is about what it takes to fully engage in life.
442 pages, Paperback
Published March 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 11, 2025
Amy Klinger's Ducks on the Pond is an absolute joy to read! Set in the quirky town of Orrville, Vermont, the novel follows Reuben Downes, an outsider who joins the local co-ed softball league and sparks a community uproar with his unusual art installation in the backyard. What starts as a lighthearted story about a new guy trying to find his place quickly turns into a heartfelt exploration of personal growth, community, and the sometimes surprising consequences of artistic expression. With a perfect balance of humor and depth, Klinger delivers a story that's as fun as it is thought-provoking.
The characters in Ducks on the Pond are the real stars, and Reuben’s ex-girlfriend deserves a special mention for adding some serious pizzazz to the mix. Her larger-than-life personality brings a great deal of energy to the novel, and honestly, I’d love to see her get her own spinoff. The interactions between Reuben and the colorful townspeople add so much warmth to the story, and the softball team itself becomes a wonderful metaphor for life, a ragtag group of people with different strengths, coming together to support each other and figure things out along the way. There’s a lot of heart in the way Klinger portrays these relationships, making you feel like part of the community too.
And of course, let’s not forget the cat! It’s one of those small but delightful touches that make the book even more lovable. The cat alone deserves a solid 10/10. At its core, Ducks on the Pond is a feel-good story about stepping up when it matters most, finding your place in the world, and embracing the messy, wonderful journey of life. Klinger’s witty writing and charming characters will leave you with a smile long after you finish reading. This is a perfect pick for anyone looking for a warm, fun read with plenty of heart.
Five out of five stars.
I received this book for free from the author, Amy Klinger, in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in Ducks on the Pond are the real stars, and Reuben’s ex-girlfriend deserves a special mention for adding some serious pizzazz to the mix. Her larger-than-life personality brings a great deal of energy to the novel, and honestly, I’d love to see her get her own spinoff. The interactions between Reuben and the colorful townspeople add so much warmth to the story, and the softball team itself becomes a wonderful metaphor for life, a ragtag group of people with different strengths, coming together to support each other and figure things out along the way. There’s a lot of heart in the way Klinger portrays these relationships, making you feel like part of the community too.
And of course, let’s not forget the cat! It’s one of those small but delightful touches that make the book even more lovable. The cat alone deserves a solid 10/10. At its core, Ducks on the Pond is a feel-good story about stepping up when it matters most, finding your place in the world, and embracing the messy, wonderful journey of life. Klinger’s witty writing and charming characters will leave you with a smile long after you finish reading. This is a perfect pick for anyone looking for a warm, fun read with plenty of heart.
Five out of five stars.
I received this book for free from the author, Amy Klinger, in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2024
A total home run!
Ducks on the Pond by Amy Klinger is a smart, charming, and compelling read about human connection that had me yearning for the simple pleasures of small-town life. Klinger masterfully weaves multiple subjects and plot elements—from baseball comradery to crazy ex-girlfriends; from religion and art to migrant workers—into a cohesive and beautiful lens on what it means to be fully human in an ever distracted and disconnected world. The writing itself was pitch perfect: a happy marriage of humor and heart, with numerous passages I wanted to literally highlight and return to again and again. Afterwards, I was left with a warm nostalgia and deep appreciation for the relationships we seek, stumble upon, and nurture. The world needs more stories like this! A tremendously enjoyable and highly recommended read.
Ducks on the Pond by Amy Klinger is a smart, charming, and compelling read about human connection that had me yearning for the simple pleasures of small-town life. Klinger masterfully weaves multiple subjects and plot elements—from baseball comradery to crazy ex-girlfriends; from religion and art to migrant workers—into a cohesive and beautiful lens on what it means to be fully human in an ever distracted and disconnected world. The writing itself was pitch perfect: a happy marriage of humor and heart, with numerous passages I wanted to literally highlight and return to again and again. Afterwards, I was left with a warm nostalgia and deep appreciation for the relationships we seek, stumble upon, and nurture. The world needs more stories like this! A tremendously enjoyable and highly recommended read.
March 31, 2025
I wish there'd been a bit more about the baseball team, but a lovely little slice of life about some folks (and animals) in a small town in Vermont. Nice and relaxing (even when the plot gets tense).
January 31, 2025
Reading this book was a delightful and unexpected journey. From the very first page, I felt a personal connection to the author, as though we were having a deep conversation about life, people, and the human experience. The themes of the book spoke directly to my own heart, resonating with moments from my own life in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
The story itself is a perfect blend of personal growth, community, and resilience. It champions the beauty of seeing people for who they truly are—unique, complex, and worthy of love and acceptance. The book’s exploration of hardship, perseverance, and the power of understanding left me feeling not just entertained, but uplifted. By the time I turned the final page, I felt like I was a better person for having read it.
The setting of the book, based in my home state of Vermont, added an extra layer of charm. The author’s references to the state’s culture and colloquialisms brought the story to life in a way that felt both authentic and familiar. Even though I’m not typically drawn to sports stories, the author’s ability to weave the game of softball into the fabric of small-town life was inspiring. I found myself appreciating the sport in a new light, especially as it mirrored the lives and challenges of the characters.
This book is for anyone who values the beauty of human connection and the importance of understanding others, no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through. It’s a celebration of individuality and community, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that will leave them with a full heart and a renewed sense of appreciation for the people around them.
In short, this book was a hidden gem that I’m so grateful to have discovered, and I know it will stay with me for a long time.
The story itself is a perfect blend of personal growth, community, and resilience. It champions the beauty of seeing people for who they truly are—unique, complex, and worthy of love and acceptance. The book’s exploration of hardship, perseverance, and the power of understanding left me feeling not just entertained, but uplifted. By the time I turned the final page, I felt like I was a better person for having read it.
The setting of the book, based in my home state of Vermont, added an extra layer of charm. The author’s references to the state’s culture and colloquialisms brought the story to life in a way that felt both authentic and familiar. Even though I’m not typically drawn to sports stories, the author’s ability to weave the game of softball into the fabric of small-town life was inspiring. I found myself appreciating the sport in a new light, especially as it mirrored the lives and challenges of the characters.
This book is for anyone who values the beauty of human connection and the importance of understanding others, no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through. It’s a celebration of individuality and community, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that will leave them with a full heart and a renewed sense of appreciation for the people around them.
In short, this book was a hidden gem that I’m so grateful to have discovered, and I know it will stay with me for a long time.
December 12, 2024
Loved this story! After a seemingly romantic weekend getaway takes a surprising turn for the story's lead, he winds up sharing a new found community with a host of interesting and engaging characters, many of whom defy the persona they at first display. I felt as though I really knew all of the people because of how their unique stories unfolded.
What I appreciated most of all was the very novel addition of an unusual artistic expression in the main character's humble, back yard garden. It enabled all kinds of contentious topics to come to light and gave opposing camps a chance to express their positions.
Well paced with lots of sly, subtle humor in unexpected places.
What I appreciated most of all was the very novel addition of an unusual artistic expression in the main character's humble, back yard garden. It enabled all kinds of contentious topics to come to light and gave opposing camps a chance to express their positions.
Well paced with lots of sly, subtle humor in unexpected places.
December 29, 2024
A tale deeper, richer, and more complex than the blurb lets on. Ducks on a Pond is about so much more than baseball, thoughtfully — and humorously — weaving a narrative on relationships, human nature, small town living, and big life issues. Entrenched deeply in Vermont roots, but universal in its applicability, the novel gives a fresh and engaging voice to what it means to build a community.
November 25, 2024
"Ducks in the Pond" is so many things at once: sweet and sad, topical and timeless. I was amazed by how seamlessly the author wove together different -- and often difficult -- themes to create a cohesive story that feels...natural. This is definitely a book to savor.
October 25, 2025
A sweet and thoughtful novel about what it means to be part of a community and make a commitment to a particular place — the joys and the sacrifices. I really enjoyed spending time in this world, and bonus points since I live in Vermont and enjoyed seeing my home state on the page. I wasn’t particularly invested in the “art installation” storyline but it was fine. Each major character is well-drawn and distinct. I liked seeing Reuben change and grow over the course of the story.
Would make a good gift. Give it to your dad who likes baseball, or your Hallmark-movie-loving friend, or anyone who enjoys good writing. There’s a lot here to appeal.
Would make a good gift. Give it to your dad who likes baseball, or your Hallmark-movie-loving friend, or anyone who enjoys good writing. There’s a lot here to appeal.
February 13, 2025
Amy Klinger’s second novel, Ducks on the Pond, begins with two incidents that could set the stage for a black comedy. The prologue recounts a softball game marred by a minor violation of sportsmanship, which then devolves into a brawl. In chapter one, Rueben Downes, who is also guilty of precipitating the afore-mentioned brawl, declines his girlfriend’s very public, bent-knee marriage proposal. In retaliation, she skewers his hand with a fork.
At this point, readers might expect a ribald narrative peppered with cartoon violence. This isn’t that kind of novel. Instead, Klinger uses negative circumstance as a springboard to character growth.
The site of the fork incident was the Schuyler Inn in Orrville, Vermont. Rather than immediately returning to the “numbing comfort of his old life,” Reuben stays in Orrville while convalescing, then decides to remain permanently. His place in the community is sealed when he joins the eccentric gang on a local softball team.
A professional artist, principally a painter, Rueben uses this opportunity to “take stock of his career, prodding deeper at the tenor of dissatisfaction with his commercial art business.” He decides to try working in sculpture for a needed diversion. Adrian, a local gallery owner, supports his muse, becoming his professional representative, and his lover.
On a scavenging mission for materials to use in sculptures, Reuben discovers, in an old barn, an exquisite, “nearly life-sized carving of Jesus casting a mournful expression.” Months later, when searching for something to use as a scarecrow in his garden, Reuben dresses Jesus in tattered clothes and erects the Son of God to guard vegetables. The display attracts unwanted attention from citizens in Orrville, some of whom consider it blasphemy, and others who bow before it in prayer. In part due to controversy over the scarecrow, stress develops in his relationship with Adrian.
Subsequent events create moments where Reuben is challenged to defend his artistic freedom, affirm his place in the community, risk new relationships, and come to the aid of a family in need.
Fluidly written in the third person from Reuben’s droll and self-effacing, as well as introspective point of view, the narrative addresses complex themes, like the role of an artist in society, with insight and empathy. Klinger depicts Reuben with an understated dexterity that, even when it strays into dark areas, serves to disarm conflicts and affirm values. A book club would find much to discuss here.
At this point, readers might expect a ribald narrative peppered with cartoon violence. This isn’t that kind of novel. Instead, Klinger uses negative circumstance as a springboard to character growth.
The site of the fork incident was the Schuyler Inn in Orrville, Vermont. Rather than immediately returning to the “numbing comfort of his old life,” Reuben stays in Orrville while convalescing, then decides to remain permanently. His place in the community is sealed when he joins the eccentric gang on a local softball team.
A professional artist, principally a painter, Rueben uses this opportunity to “take stock of his career, prodding deeper at the tenor of dissatisfaction with his commercial art business.” He decides to try working in sculpture for a needed diversion. Adrian, a local gallery owner, supports his muse, becoming his professional representative, and his lover.
On a scavenging mission for materials to use in sculptures, Reuben discovers, in an old barn, an exquisite, “nearly life-sized carving of Jesus casting a mournful expression.” Months later, when searching for something to use as a scarecrow in his garden, Reuben dresses Jesus in tattered clothes and erects the Son of God to guard vegetables. The display attracts unwanted attention from citizens in Orrville, some of whom consider it blasphemy, and others who bow before it in prayer. In part due to controversy over the scarecrow, stress develops in his relationship with Adrian.
Subsequent events create moments where Reuben is challenged to defend his artistic freedom, affirm his place in the community, risk new relationships, and come to the aid of a family in need.
Fluidly written in the third person from Reuben’s droll and self-effacing, as well as introspective point of view, the narrative addresses complex themes, like the role of an artist in society, with insight and empathy. Klinger depicts Reuben with an understated dexterity that, even when it strays into dark areas, serves to disarm conflicts and affirm values. A book club would find much to discuss here.
February 17, 2025
A great second novel from Klinger, and I enjoyed it more than her first, which I thought was very good.
Ducks on the Pond managed to make me laugh, gasp (there's one scene early on specifically) and feel deep emotional connection with the characters, especially the main character, Reuben. His move to Vermont, long-lasting love for baseball, and discovering his passion for cooking all were deeply personal to me. But beyond that, he is a complex character with flaws that we can all relate to. While his adventures and misadventures may more than most of us would experience in our lives (when are they not in a novel?), they all connect to some feeling or experience that we have had at some point. From feeling ostracized in a small group or in an entire community, to admiring someone from afar to finding new friends in the unlikeliest of places.
HIghly recommend for anyone who enjoys real story telling that is grounded in real life.
Ducks on the Pond managed to make me laugh, gasp (there's one scene early on specifically) and feel deep emotional connection with the characters, especially the main character, Reuben. His move to Vermont, long-lasting love for baseball, and discovering his passion for cooking all were deeply personal to me. But beyond that, he is a complex character with flaws that we can all relate to. While his adventures and misadventures may more than most of us would experience in our lives (when are they not in a novel?), they all connect to some feeling or experience that we have had at some point. From feeling ostracized in a small group or in an entire community, to admiring someone from afar to finding new friends in the unlikeliest of places.
HIghly recommend for anyone who enjoys real story telling that is grounded in real life.
December 27, 2024
Ducks on the Pond by Amy Klinger is a thoroughly enjoyable read that has stayed with me long after finishing it. The characters are wonderfully developed and so likeable that you can't help but wish you could be friends with them, sharing in their ups and downs. Klinger masterfully blends humor and heart, creating a story that feels both grounded in reality and yet almost too chaotic to believe. While I also enjoyed her debut novel, Ducks on the Pond resonated with me just a bit more. It’s an engaging, fast-paced page-turner that I highly recommend!
January 20, 2025
Amy Klinger has hit a home run with "Ducks on the Pond". The novel is a fresh look at people searching for community, friendship and love. Her characters are richly developed, and are interwoven into a story about small town life, art, softball, religion and just enough social commentary to make the reader wish they could be part of this community. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and can't recommend it enough.
December 20, 2024
Amy Klinger writes with verve, sensitivity, and skill about people becoming a community.
Baseball, romance, contemporary conflicts, art, and small-town life contrasted with big-city sophistication feature in this smoothly written novel. The reader sees life especially through the eyes of Reuben, an engaging artist, who stumbles through romances, fortunes, and misfortunes until he somehow finds peace, wisdom, and true love.
Baseball, romance, contemporary conflicts, art, and small-town life contrasted with big-city sophistication feature in this smoothly written novel. The reader sees life especially through the eyes of Reuben, an engaging artist, who stumbles through romances, fortunes, and misfortunes until he somehow finds peace, wisdom, and true love.
September 16, 2025
While visiting my daughter in Vermont, we ventured into Bridgeside Books" . On the shelf promoting Vermont authors I was attracted to this book by its bright and colorful cover. The blurb on the back further peaked my interest. I am so glad purchased it! I really enjoyed this book. All the characters were well developed. The story was engrossing. It's a happy read!!
August 25, 2025
What an absolute thrill to be sent a book from the author who happens to be a friend from high school! First and foremost, congratulations, Amy!!!! You should be so unbelievably proud of yourself for this accomplishment. So impressive! Ducks on the Pond has a lot of what I love in a story - lots of interesting, quirky characters, a beautiful New England setting, a few moments that surprised the heck out of me, and baseball. I mean, you had me at baseball, Amy! The story set up was great and I kept thinking “this is what Emily Henry’s books should be like if they were better!” I enjoyed being on this journey with the main character, Reuben, watching him grow as a person and an artist. By far, I loved his relationship with Rosemary, an innkeeper that became a maternal figure the most. I can’t lie - I was definitely sad when she became a minor character after her significant role at the beginning of the story. There were a lot of characters to follow, and I did find myself having a bit of a struggle keeping them all organized in my brain. But that could be my brain. It took me awhile to embrace how the story unfolded - I was not expecting the book to touch on intense themes like immigration and the history of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. That definitely took me by surprise. The story would make a really great television series. I could picture it - the Vermont setting, the town baseball fields, the goat farm, the local bar, the art - it has all the ingredients of a captivating visual drama. I feel really honored to have the chance to read this. It was thoughtfully written, and I’m just so proud to know the author. If you are from Park Ridge, it’s absolutely a must read. I recommend it beyond Park Ridge of course - especially for fans of small town stories where you are rooting for the characters to win the game and to win at life. Giving this one a 4.
March 9, 2026
What a touching novel! It hits all the right notes - funny at the right times without veering into slapstick, heartfelt without a trace of sentimentality, complex and well-written but completely approachable. The setting represents small town, rural Vermont, but I guarantee you will recognize the characters among your own friends and family and identify with both their struggles and their joys no matter where you live. I also enjoyed Amy’s first book, In Light of Recent Events, and here I’m going out on a limb to say this one is even better. 5+ stars. I loved it so much, I gave my first copy to a friend and ordered a second one to revisit whenever I feel like losing myself in the world she’s created. I highly recommend this story about the power of community.
July 28, 2025
Great story told by an amazing storyteller. Reminiscent of John Irving, in breadth and scope, Klinger weaves a tale of baseball, romance, politics and Vermont so captivating one can’t leave reading until a new chapter begins. This is Klinger’s second novel and there’s no sophomore slump here. Her’s is a voice that the World needs more of. I can’t wait for her next literary venture.
May 7, 2025
Ducks on the Pond was somehow ALL of these: entertaining, enriching, heartwarming, relatable, thought-provoking, surprising, and lovely. Amy Klinger must be a magician in addition to an author to accomplish all that in a novel! And the audio narrator was excellent; I enjoyed listening.
July 15, 2025
A wonderful read. So many lovable compelling characters—as if Dickens was writing about life in Vermont. The voice is wry, kind, smart and funny.
July 18, 2025
This is a beautifully written story relevant to today and the intricacies of small town living.
March 28, 2025
Really enjoyed this story and how each subplot was woven together. The audiobook was excellent… voice narration really captures the conflicted emotions of each character.
February 12, 2026
Wonderful, uplifting story that combines romance, art, social justice, religion and softball. Believable and endearing characters. Lots to think about, but lighthearted. I really enjoyed it.
May 15, 2025
Amy Klinger's tale of the new kid in town is warm, genuine and relatable. Artist Reuben is learning the ropes of adulting with the help of an entertaining cast of friends and neighbors. You'll be swept up this story that could happen right in your town and long for a sequel. Well done, Ms. Klinger!
January 25, 2025
I loved this book! The author charmingly guides us along this very human journey. Through humor and wonderful descriptions, mundane and more thoughtful topics are explored. Enjoyable read!
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November 20, 2024Klinger weaves a compelling tale rife with humor, clever prose and well developed characters. Fiction serves the purpose of allowing readers to step outside their own experience , understanding and empathizing with others in a way that expands their understanding of the news and the issues of the day. Klingers book did this for me in a way reminiscent of Barbara Kingsolver . I was thoroughly engaged in the story from beginning to end, Ducks on the Pond stayed with me long after I finished reading. Definitely recommend.
November 11, 2025
Ducks On the Pond hooked me from the start and then didn't let go. I was surprised and impressed with the depth, especially the topics it got into towards the second half and ending. All the storylines flow together seamlessly and make for a fantastic complete novel. I felt like I got to know the characters, with the state of Vermont being one of them. The baseball parts were super fun, but definitely didn't overshadow the rest of the story so that even someone who didn't know anything about baseball could still enjoy it.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
July 11, 2025
Loved the complicated topic nuances woven within this book. Rich characters make me very happy and this did have such characters. Loved the contemporary issues also woven into the book's fabric. There are some books which are fast-paced and slam home. This book, grows into you slowly until you realize the characters are part of your family. Or at least members of the community. Very Vermontish!
January 26, 2025
Ducks on the Pond, the latest novel by Amy Klinger, quietly seeps under your skin so that by the end of the novel it feels as though the characters and towns are a part of your personal history. Klinger’s novel is about how humans connect and belong - to towns, in communities, to each other in relationships - and is written with both humor and compassion. The novel explores religion, immigration, small town politics, art, sports, friendship, and family with characters so layered and true that the reader is invested and curious, like we are also residents of Orrville, Vermont.
Reuben Downes is an artist who has always felt just slightly on the periphery, perpetually “the new guy” no matter where he is or who he is with. When he joins a softball team in the Coleslaw League (the co-ed Softball League in Western Vermont), Reuben is part of something - not just a sports team but a group of friends and also a small town. He now must reconcile the ramifications of being connected to other people - both the unquestionably positive and the terribly fraught aspects - and the responsibilities we all have as part of a community.
Both a love story to the baseball diamond and a call for understanding for those around us, Ducks on the Pond is the type of book you can’t help but remember and recommend to everyone you know. I’d love to do that at Endicott’s Hardware or over a beer at the Alewife. Maybe after batting practice with the Mallards and always with that warm feeling of belonging.
I received an advance review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
Reuben Downes is an artist who has always felt just slightly on the periphery, perpetually “the new guy” no matter where he is or who he is with. When he joins a softball team in the Coleslaw League (the co-ed Softball League in Western Vermont), Reuben is part of something - not just a sports team but a group of friends and also a small town. He now must reconcile the ramifications of being connected to other people - both the unquestionably positive and the terribly fraught aspects - and the responsibilities we all have as part of a community.
Both a love story to the baseball diamond and a call for understanding for those around us, Ducks on the Pond is the type of book you can’t help but remember and recommend to everyone you know. I’d love to do that at Endicott’s Hardware or over a beer at the Alewife. Maybe after batting practice with the Mallards and always with that warm feeling of belonging.
I received an advance review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
March 9, 2025
I found Amy Klinger’s "Ducks on the Pond” to be an engaging and thought-provoking novel, with well-developed, character-driven stories told with humor and emotional depth. The quaint town in Vermont, where most of the story unfolds, becomes a character in its own right, adding to the book’s charm.
The novel realistically captures the essence of small-town living, with its strong sense of community, traditions, meaningful friendships, unique quirks, deeply-held religious beliefs, a natural wariness towards outsiders or unconventional ideas, and an active gossip network that ensures news travels fast.
We follow the main character Reuben, a newcomer to both the softball team and the town, who quickly becomes the subject of curiosity and speculation among his teammates and locals, when he sets up a controversial art installation in his backyard. The unconventional/ irreverent piece offends many of the locals, while bringing solace to his migrant neighbors, for whom Reuben develops a genuine fondness.
As the story evolves, so does Reuben’s character, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and realizes that inaction can have real consequences.
I savored this book from beginning to end. The author does a great job of blending funny moments with sincere, emotional storytelling.
The novel realistically captures the essence of small-town living, with its strong sense of community, traditions, meaningful friendships, unique quirks, deeply-held religious beliefs, a natural wariness towards outsiders or unconventional ideas, and an active gossip network that ensures news travels fast.
We follow the main character Reuben, a newcomer to both the softball team and the town, who quickly becomes the subject of curiosity and speculation among his teammates and locals, when he sets up a controversial art installation in his backyard. The unconventional/ irreverent piece offends many of the locals, while bringing solace to his migrant neighbors, for whom Reuben develops a genuine fondness.
As the story evolves, so does Reuben’s character, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and realizes that inaction can have real consequences.
I savored this book from beginning to end. The author does a great job of blending funny moments with sincere, emotional storytelling.
July 24, 2025
Such a lovely, funny, and deeply felt sophomore novel from the wonderful Amy Klinger. The novel's pace is just right. Keeping us deeply curious and turning pages, but giving us the time to stop and enjoy the gorgeous Vermont scenery as Reuben's story unfolds. There's also a tremendous slow build here, as what starts off as a book of relocation and artistic self-discovery through an adult softball league gradually takes on weightier themes of family, immigration, self-expression and politics, as well as the modern struggles that have the power to push community bonds to the breaking point. Klinger is a patient, highly skilled stylist and this is a book you could easily enjoy at the beach as it whisks you along, or pause to enjoy more gradually and consider more deeply, sentence by gorgeous sentence. Dare I say it...it's a home run.
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