#2 Simple Goalkeeping Made Spectacular: A Riotous Footballing Memoir about the Loneliest Position on the Field, by Graham Joyce

My biggest issue with Simple Goalkeeping Made Spectacular: A Riotous Footballing Memoir about the Loneliest Position on the Field, by Graham Joyce, is the title itself.

I’m not saying it’s not funny because, in places, it is. The book – the tale of a British writer who, aged 52, gets the call to play for the England Writers XI – is witty, often insightful about the oft misunderstood art of goalkeeping, and contains some nice inter-generational touches, where the author examines his relationship with his father through football, in particular.

But describing it all as ‘a riotous memoir’ seems a bit excessive. Perhaps it’s ironic.

It’s not among the best sporting books I’ve ever read, but it’s a long way from the worst and, in its favour, I must admit that it’s prompted me to look up Joyce’s more regular fantasy work, in which field he has apparently won many awards. We’ll see if he features again later this year…

So, rating time:

#2 Simple Goalkeeping Made Spectacular: A Riotous Footballing Memoir about the Loneliest Position on the Field, by Graham Joyce (Mainstream Publishing Company) – 6/10

Next up: Netherland, by Joseph O’Neill (Harper Perennial)

Click here for the full list of books so far, and their rating