What do you think?
Rate this book
The Field of Plenty
★★★★★ “A winner on the football gridiron and beyond.” Paul Volponi, multi-award-winning author of The Final Four
Mitchell Baker’s meteoric rise as a star punter and field-goal kicker stunned everyone—except his father, Ken. Ken meticulously groomed Mitch into the athletic sensation he became. But just as Mitch’s career peaks, tragedy strikes: he loses the most crucial game of his high school career, and shortly after his father dies. Struggling to cope, Mitch falls into a pill addiction and reconnects with Uncle Paul, a mysterious family friend and self-proclaimed miracle worker.
Unraveling a web of deceit spun by Uncle Paul and his late father, Mitch confronts the painful truths about his past. He’s thrust into a dilemma—questioning the very foundation of his upbringing. In this turbulent journey, Mitch faces off against his rival Teddy Jones and finds an unlikely ally in the troubled yet captivating Bianca Black.
Confronted with the raw realities of his own broken self-identity, Mitch navigates the chaos of loss both on and off the field, and he must determine what’s real … and what’s worth fighting for.
Mitchell Baker’s meteoric rise as a star punter and field-goal kicker stunned everyone—except his father, Ken. Ken meticulously groomed Mitch into the athletic sensation he became. But just as Mitch’s career peaks, tragedy strikes: he loses the most crucial game of his high school career, and shortly after his father dies. Struggling to cope, Mitch falls into a pill addiction and reconnects with Uncle Paul, a mysterious family friend and self-proclaimed miracle worker.
Unraveling a web of deceit spun by Uncle Paul and his late father, Mitch confronts the painful truths about his past. He’s thrust into a dilemma—questioning the very foundation of his upbringing. In this turbulent journey, Mitch faces off against his rival Teddy Jones and finds an unlikely ally in the troubled yet captivating Bianca Black.
Confronted with the raw realities of his own broken self-identity, Mitch navigates the chaos of loss both on and off the field, and he must determine what’s real … and what’s worth fighting for.
264 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
5 people want to read
About the author
Luke Beling
2 books5 followersSouth African-born author and singer-songwriter Luke Beling grew up listening to music from the 60s and 70s, influenced by records his father played and the surrounding struggle of his native country. As a twenty-something, Beling developed a fond taste for subversive literature, fiction defending the outcast, stories highlighting the grit of the human spirit. Beling believes art should embody both the miracle and labor of life. Everyday tales borne from world wandering, Beling's songs and stories hope to impart deep pockets of truth.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 4, 2024
Without a doubt, this is an enjoyable experience. As a sports fan and a football supporter, I was attracted to the cover and the title.
The plot surrounds a kicker. I have never read a book about a kicker. That was very interesting and different. Additionally, a side plot enriches the book for the reader.
Strong characters help me to associate with the team and the players.
Overall, a really good story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot surrounds a kicker. I have never read a book about a kicker. That was very interesting and different. Additionally, a side plot enriches the book for the reader.
Strong characters help me to associate with the team and the players.
Overall, a really good story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 22, 2024
This is much more than just a story about the fleeting glory of youth - though it certainly captures that - it is a story rich in characters who become alive to you, especially Mitch and Bianca, both of whom hook you in that winsome, energetic introduction. It's rare - but great - when you find yourself thinking about the characters long after you've set a book down. This is that book.
October 22, 2024
This first outing by Luke Beling is a joy to read.
Vivid details and fantastic tension kept me chasing the last page.
If you enjoy sports stories I would recommend this book.
Vivid details and fantastic tension kept me chasing the last page.
If you enjoy sports stories I would recommend this book.
August 18, 2024
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVEW
18th August 2024
TITLE: The Field of Plenty
AUTHOR: Luke Being
Star Rating: 5
‘A gritty, character led sports novel packed full of hard-hitting drama. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I do enjoy sports, particularly if there's a ball in it! So this smartly plotted, character driven ‘football’ novel by Luke Beling was right up my street. I must say, the author is a competent writer, offering ‘gritty drama’ lovers all the elements they enjoy – a strong cast of primary and secondary characters, a smartly plotted story and, in the case of this novel, an insight into a high pressure sport, namely American football.
So, what’s it about! Well, in a nutshell, it’s the story of Mitch Baker who plays high school football (not English football, American football) and is a star kicker. In fact, he’s so good, he has a promising career in front of him. But, following a terrible game and then the loss of his father, Ken, Mitch ends up in a bit of a mess – and that’s putting it mildly. What follows is a complex drama, the MC spiralling out of control, and becoming addicted to pills and alcohol.
There were many elements to this story I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, I enjoyed the angst between Mitch and his mother – a lot of it involving a mirror! The author works hard (and very successfully) in showing the anger they feel; it’s complex stuff but very compelling. Secondly, I loved how the author seemed to know teenagers, particularly his MC. Mitch felt spot on terms of his personality, his anger, and his rather ‘teenager’ way of dealing with things. And thirdly, although the story is character driven, the pacing is strong, the author knowing when to get things moving and not allowing the story to stagnate.
All in all, this is a gem of a book. It is also hard hitting, laying bare the brutality of losing a family member whilst also offering insights into how difficult it can be to be the best in competitive sports. There is the odd lighter moment – particularly towards the end – but not many, and much of it is a sobering read. But it’s a compelling read too!
‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVEW
18th August 2024
TITLE: The Field of Plenty
AUTHOR: Luke Being
Star Rating: 5
‘A gritty, character led sports novel packed full of hard-hitting drama. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I do enjoy sports, particularly if there's a ball in it! So this smartly plotted, character driven ‘football’ novel by Luke Beling was right up my street. I must say, the author is a competent writer, offering ‘gritty drama’ lovers all the elements they enjoy – a strong cast of primary and secondary characters, a smartly plotted story and, in the case of this novel, an insight into a high pressure sport, namely American football.
So, what’s it about! Well, in a nutshell, it’s the story of Mitch Baker who plays high school football (not English football, American football) and is a star kicker. In fact, he’s so good, he has a promising career in front of him. But, following a terrible game and then the loss of his father, Ken, Mitch ends up in a bit of a mess – and that’s putting it mildly. What follows is a complex drama, the MC spiralling out of control, and becoming addicted to pills and alcohol.
There were many elements to this story I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, I enjoyed the angst between Mitch and his mother – a lot of it involving a mirror! The author works hard (and very successfully) in showing the anger they feel; it’s complex stuff but very compelling. Secondly, I loved how the author seemed to know teenagers, particularly his MC. Mitch felt spot on terms of his personality, his anger, and his rather ‘teenager’ way of dealing with things. And thirdly, although the story is character driven, the pacing is strong, the author knowing when to get things moving and not allowing the story to stagnate.
All in all, this is a gem of a book. It is also hard hitting, laying bare the brutality of losing a family member whilst also offering insights into how difficult it can be to be the best in competitive sports. There is the odd lighter moment – particularly towards the end – but not many, and much of it is a sobering read. But it’s a compelling read too!
‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
September 25, 2024
Short, sweet, and and with a focus that the characters in the story would envy.
I know Luke Beling from his music, in which you can really tell that he's a storyteller at heart. When reading his prose, it's very obvious that he's a musician at heart as well. There's a rythm to it, a certain drive leading you along.
I almost want to compare the storytelling here to comic books, or maybe film is closer.
Or songwriting.
It's a story with a very clear focus, told mainly from the perspective of our main character, Mitch. There are, however, interjections from other characters' perspectives. Most of what I've been reading recently has been laser focused from individual characters (not leaving their heads until the chapter is ended). In The Field of Plenty, however, we sometimes get to hear the thoughts of other characters, just for a second.
At first, I found it somewhat jarring, because I wasn't really expecting it. I got used to it very quickly though, and I think that part specifically is what gives me the feeling of a motion picture, a song, or a comic book. Beling handles these interjections very well, giving us a glimpse of the picture from a new angle, without feeling like we've left the scene. It reads like enhanced empathy.
The story itself has a clear focus on the coming of age of our star kicker main character.
I have absolutely no experience whatsoever with (American) football, nor do I have any interest in sports at all. This makes no difference in this very sports centered story. The backdrop of college footbal (which I guess what it's called) works wonders in this story about loss and identity. I guess it is a coming-of-age story, but I would say that the lens of grief lends a very interesting perspective to the search for identity with which the characters are struggling.
It's a pretty quick read, and a thoroughly enjoyable one as well.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
I know Luke Beling from his music, in which you can really tell that he's a storyteller at heart. When reading his prose, it's very obvious that he's a musician at heart as well. There's a rythm to it, a certain drive leading you along.
I almost want to compare the storytelling here to comic books, or maybe film is closer.
Or songwriting.
It's a story with a very clear focus, told mainly from the perspective of our main character, Mitch. There are, however, interjections from other characters' perspectives. Most of what I've been reading recently has been laser focused from individual characters (not leaving their heads until the chapter is ended). In The Field of Plenty, however, we sometimes get to hear the thoughts of other characters, just for a second.
At first, I found it somewhat jarring, because I wasn't really expecting it. I got used to it very quickly though, and I think that part specifically is what gives me the feeling of a motion picture, a song, or a comic book. Beling handles these interjections very well, giving us a glimpse of the picture from a new angle, without feeling like we've left the scene. It reads like enhanced empathy.
The story itself has a clear focus on the coming of age of our star kicker main character.
I have absolutely no experience whatsoever with (American) football, nor do I have any interest in sports at all. This makes no difference in this very sports centered story. The backdrop of college footbal (which I guess what it's called) works wonders in this story about loss and identity. I guess it is a coming-of-age story, but I would say that the lens of grief lends a very interesting perspective to the search for identity with which the characters are struggling.
It's a pretty quick read, and a thoroughly enjoyable one as well.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews