Things Invisibl to See

by Nancy Willard

Book Overview

In a small Michigan town on the eve of World War II, a young man and woman share a love that is shadowed by tragedy, yet lighted by powers beyond the real.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394540581
• ISBN13: 9780394540580
• Release Date: December 1984
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 263 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Defies categorization, as do all magical things.

I just ordered a hardback copy of this book, because my paperback is falling apart from so many readings! I was not surprised to see so many other reviews for a book so old; because this is a wonderful, magical book. I picked it up at a used book-store, even though it looked to be a "fantasy", which I don't read. But this novel cannot be wedged into any genre. If you love baseball, are interested in (or lived through) WWII, grew up in S. Michigan, went to U. of Michigan, or believe in miracles, this book WILL resonate with you. And you may love it without any of those points of resonance! It also has those subtle references that make re-reading worthwhile. Example: a scene set in early December 1941, where Death-a little man who is a main character in the book-attends a seance several days early, because "he has important business on Sunday". It was my third reading before I followed the book's timeline well enough to realize Death had to be at Pearl Harbor that Sunday.This book leaves you with not just a good feeling, but a tingle of wonder--like maybe there are always little miracles afoot in the world???? If Nancy Willard only had one "big novel" in her, I'm glad its this one; but I'd love to see more from her.

Magic Realism that worked magic

This book turned my teenaged niece from a non-reader to an avid reader. Can there be a better tribute to any book?

A Wonderful Book

This is a wonderful book. I teach it in a class on "Baseball, Literature, and American Culture." Like all good baseball books, it's not really about baseball. It's really about love, war, families, race, and other universals. Willard is a gifted writer who understands that adults like stories with spirits and ghosts and magic and whimsy as much as kids. The baseball in it is well-rendered. Willard is a sophisticated fan (Tigers): she knows whereof she speaks. It's a shame it's not in print as there are so few works of baseball fiction by women. This the best I know of. I photocopy 50 copies for my class (with permission). It works. Students like it, especially the more literary types.

This is one of my favorite books.

My feshman year in college I picked Things Invisible to See at random from deep within our library's stacks. It has been a treasure ever since. It is too bad it is out of print, but worth finding. Willard's use of metaphors defy description. Her book is infused with the magic of everyday things--so much so that I found myself putting down the pages and staring about in awe. If you can find it, read it.

a magical story

It's a shame this lovely book is out of print; it is one of my all-time favorites. It's about a young man named Ben who, goofing around with friends, bats a baseball into the night sky and hits a young woman named Clare, sending her to the hospital. He finds out about the accident, and that Clare now can't walk, and seeks her out to try to help. (That's just the beginning.) Magic appears in many forms throughout this story - the end is a baseball game between Ben's team and Death's. It's a quirky, funny, hopeful book, and well worth the trouble of finding it