The Legend of Mickey Tussler

Frank Nappi
St. Martin’s Press (2008)
ISBN 9780312381097
Reviewed by Rachael Stein (age 15) for Reader Views (7/08)

Arthur Murphy is the coach and scout for the minor league Milwaukee Brewers. He used to be a baseball star before a collision with another player injured him and ruined his promising career. But he’s also a good and caring man, which is why, when he meets odd Mickey Tussler, a hulking seventeen-year-old farm boy with an ability to throw very accurately, he is determined to help both of them by recruiting Mickey to pitch for the Brewers. Mickey has an arm like no one has seen, and his early successes on the field help him win over the hearts of his teammates and fans. But jealousy from an opposing team and even a disgruntled teammate stack the odds against Mickey, especially when Murph and Pee Wee, one of Mickey’s closer teammates, aren’t there to protect him. Mickey’s situation is even more difficult because he suffers from autism, although this was before it had a name. The world of minor league baseball is a tough one, and Mickey and his team, the Brewers, are definite underdogs.

There is a colorful cast of characters presented in “The Legend of Mickey Tussler,” which I found overwhelming at times. There were so many players and teams to remember that I often got confused, especially towards the beginning of the novel. However, as the story progressed, I got used to the most important characters. In a strange way, I felt I really got to know these characters even though I felt there wasn’t much characterization. Most of the characters, especially Molly, Murph, and Mickey, were extremely likeable even through their faults, and I found myself sympathizing with them. I really would’ve loved for Mickey’s character to have been more developed, because the story was mainly about him, but I found his characterization disappointingly lacking. Nevertheless, I found Mickey’s character so admirable because he was able to survive and prevail against all the odds. Nappi does a good job of showing each character’s flaws as well as positive attributes; it made the characters seem more human, which made the story all the more realistic.

Plot-wise, I had a few issues. Sometimes, I felt that there was just too much going on at once and so many subplots that they were rather hard to keep track of. And I also found the ending a little disappointing, but only because I would’ve liked the story to continue. And though I was disappointed, I did feel that the story ended with a perfect blend of sadness and hope. It’s through the last few pages of the novel that you can really feel the book yelling to you to not give up.

The plot in “The Legend of Mickey Tussler” was never too action-packed except during the ballgames. I found that even with my limited baseball education, I was able to understand much of the terminology used in this novel. Since “The Legend of Mickey Tussler” focuses so much on baseball though, readers who aren’t interested in this team sport may have a hard time maintaining their interest in the story. Even though I am not a devoted baseball fan, though, I really liked how baseball was so well-incorporated into this story.

It’s kind of hard to explain what exactly in this novel made me like it so much. Despite some of the issues I had with the book, I truly enjoyed reading “The Legend of Mickey Tussler,” by Frank Nappi, and thought it was well-written. I recommend this novel for the male audience or for any baseball fans. Mickey Tussler’s difficult journey is sure to win over the hearts of many readers, as it did mine.

Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live
Make comment on weblog