So, I realize that I am behind, but I just finished Part 1 in Empire Falls. I would like to know what you think of the baseball mitt. What do you think it is symbolic of? What does it mean that Miles left it behind? It was so very important that Miles be able to bring it on their vacation, but unimportant enough by the end of the vacation to forget it.

I’m thinking it represents Miles’ youthful innocence. He’s had one of those “you can never go home again” experiences on Martha’s Vineyard. Even though Grace says at the end, “Nothing’s going to change. Not one thing,” the truth is that everything has changed. Miles has gone from the child’s way of perceiving his parents to a more honest perception of them, and that makes all the difference in the world.

I’m still trying to work out how the amazing catch at the beginning of this flashback factors in, and all the other baseball connections. Leave it to me, sports fan, to focus on this aspect of the book right now.

I hope you are all enjoying this book – it has certainly grown on me. What are you thinking about it?