The Natural

novel by Malamud

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Article History

The Natural, first novel by Bernard Malamud, published in 1952. The story of gifted athlete Roy Hobbs and his talismanic bat “Wonderboy” is counted among the finest baseball novels. It is at heart a fable that loosely follows the Holy Grail myth.

Hobbs’s promising baseball career is cut short when he is shot by a mysterious woman. He turns up some 15 years later to play left field for the New York Knights, whose fortunes suddenly and miraculously improve. Off the playing field, Roy is torn between the dangerous affection and corrupting influence of Memo Paris, the niece of team manager Pop Fisher, and Iris Lemon, whose love is genuine. After rejecting Iris for Memo, Hobbs agrees to throw a play-off game. During the game he regrets his decision and decides to play honestly, but Wonderboy is split asunder and Hobbs strikes out, losing the game.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.