Van Boyle

by Nathan Leslie

Van Boyle was once a Major League ballplayer, a champion, before a devastating injury cost him his career, his family, and his home. Now, the former Baltimore Orioles player lives on the fringes of society, a nomad in the Maryland countryside, perpetually haunted by the game that defined him.

From sleeping in hollowed-out trees and shipping containers to foraging for food, Van is reduced to scraping by, his only remaining ties the fragile hope of speaking to his estranged son and daughter. Yet, Van is no victim. He’s a "wanderer, out of necessity" , a man who fiercely rejects pity and defines “home” on his own brutal "My home is where I make it".

Told in sharp, episodic bursts, this poignant and darkly humorous novel traces Van’s final years, shifting between the raw, derelict present and the glorious mirage of his youth.

Van Boyle is the story of a fighter, a man clinging to his pride as he plays the final, desperate inning of a life defined by regret and the elusive search for peace.

168 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Nathan Leslie’s ten books of short fiction include Sibs, Three Men and Root and Shoot. He is also the author of Night Sweat, a poetry collection. His first novel, The Tall Tale of Tommy Twice, was published by Atticus Books in 2012. His short stories, essays and poems have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines including Boulevard, Shenandoah, North American Review, South Dakota Review, and Cimarron Review. He was series editor for The Best of the Web anthology 2008 and 2009 (Dzanc Books) and edited fiction for Pedestal Magazine for many years. He writes a regular music column for Atticus Review and was interviews editor for Prick of the Spindle. He is also the host of Reston Readings--a monthly reading series featuring three authors/month. Check him out at nathanleslie.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

Reviews

[Myna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Van Boyle is a compelling, heart-rending tale of a former major league ballplayer who has lost everything and now subsists in the wilds of Maryland. The picture of this man comes into focus in snaps and flashes, allowing the reader to put together the puzzle of his life. As a fan of flash fiction, I enjoyed the short punchy sections. The style of writing drew me into the story immediately. I didn’t want to put the book down because I was so quickly invested in Van’s situation. I think readers will enjoy the tension & discovery of this broken character.