A review by lnocita
One-Handed Catch by Mary Jane Auch

4.0

The writing in this novel is very good and moves the story line along at a clip. You really come to know the character. For some reason, this book really reminded me of one of my favorite holiday movies, A Christmas Story. Not because it is about the holidays but because it has an "old-timey, when life was simpler, small-town America" feel to it. Brighton Beach Memoir comes to mind too. Norm is eleven when he has an accident in his family-owned butcher shop. He loses his left hand conceivably putting an end to his dreams of playing baseball. But Norm has an indomitable spirit and works hard to overcome his disability. The plot line has all the ingredients to become a preachy, overcoming-the-odds melodrama, but the author, gratefully, never stoops to that. Instead, the author creates a well told and heartwarming story.