WHO IS FELIX THE GREAT?

by Ronald Kidd ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1983

Felix Johnson was a great shortstop for the Cubs when Tim Julian's father, now dead five years, was growing up in Chicago. What's happened to him since is a question Tim takes on in response to an English teacher's assignment on the theme ""Where Are They Now?"" Tim, who likes baseball and often goes to Dodger games, tracks Felix to a seedy retirement home ""right here in Los Angeles"" and becomes the testy old man's sole companion. Soon he finds himself driving Felix to an old-timers' game in Chicago: Felix hasn't been invited but plans to show up anyway; and Tim, upset when his mother goes off with a new boyfriend (her first since being widowed), wants to see the Chicago of his father's memories. Clearly Tim also needs some fatherly concern, which is not forthcoming from the self-preoccupied Felix--and so Tim, once checked into their Chicago motel, goes off in a huff. The ending is pretty hokey, with Tim's disappearance shaking Felix out of himself to the point of missing the old-timers' grand entrance; Tim's worried mother discovering his whereabouts and flying to Chicago to find him; and all three watching the game from choice seats. . . where Felix gets his grand and thrilling ovation after all. Till then, it's a fair enough young-old friendship story of its mildly sentimental type.

Pub Date: March 1, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lodestar/Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1983

Categories: FICTION