Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

The Read: “Fever Pitch”

April 4, 2012 By Ben Madeska | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

“Fever Pitch” by Nick Hornby – $10.88

Top Photo Credit: Ben17_34

“Fever Pitch” by Nick Hornby is, on a basic level, an autobiography and memoir of his life-long obsession with Arsenal, the English Premier League club.  Now, I am not a fan of English Football (I am also an American, so from here on out I will be calling it soccer).  It’s not that I dislike it, I’ve just never really had the chance to follow it the way I have with, say, the Green Bay Packers, for whom fandom sits like a latent virus in the blood of anyone born in Wisconsin.

Because I knew next to nothing about English soccer, the minutiae that Hornby indulges in sometimes lost me, but overall he uses a light touch.  Hornby isn’t recounting plays from forgotten games 20 years ago because he thinks the reader particularly cares.  He’s doing it to question why he himself cares so much.

In this way, the book is an analysis of the meaning of sports.  Hornby, as he readily admits, is more than just a fan of Arsenal.  Cripplingly obsessive might be closer to the mark.  He questions this a bit, but doesn’t seem too bothered by it.  He looks at what this obsession means to him and what he has gained from it.

Hornby identifies with the ups and downs of Arsenal and this gives a certain structure to his life.  As he points out, soccer, like great art, has a way of symbolizing whatever you need it to.  There’s a universal quality to following a favored sports team for years and years, and any fan will recognize parts of himself here.

You can find previous editions of The Read in our archive. For more on literature, art, food, wine, and a real perspective on the news these things seem to make, follow our Arts & Culture Correspondent Ben on Twitter.

Filed Under: Etc. Tagged With: Ben Madeska, Fever Pitch, Fever Pitch Review, The Read

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

In Review: The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch

In Review: The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch

In person with one of the hottest watch releases in recent memory.

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Under $300 Spier Sharkskin Suits, Huckberry Sneaky Extra Sale, & More

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Under $300 Spier Sharkskin Suits, Huckberry Sneaky Extra Sale, & More

Plus Lululemon’s used/like-new shop is open online.

J. Crew: 30% off Select Full Price, 50% off Swim Trunks + Slub Cotton Tees

J. Crew: 30% off Select Full Price, 50% off Swim Trunks + Slub Cotton Tees

NOT final sale on that swim trunks and slub cotton tees deal.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • $20 off Nike Killshots for summer, TheTieBar Sweater Polo Restock, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer
  • J. Crew: 30% off Select Full Price, 50% off Swim Trunks + Slub Cotton Tees
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Under $300 Spier Sharkskin Suits, Huckberry Sneaky Extra Sale, & More
  • In Review: On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneakers
  • The Dappered Space: One Room, One Store – Target

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2022 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.