The Legend Of Bagger Vance: A Novel Of Golf And The Game Of Life (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
I’ve been told that my book Gabriel’s Creek reminded some readers of The Legend of Bagger Vance. I always took that to be high praise, even though I’d seen the film adaptation but never read Steven Pressfield’s book. I understand many of those comparisons now. Among the most notable is that in both, which appear on the surface to be two golf books, our beloved-but-misunderstood game is really being used as the vehicle to tell a deeper story. I don’t think it’s a plus of one versus another that I found Bagger Vance more a must-read for those of us who love golf, and less so for the non-enthusiasts. It’s true, I must be pigeon-holed as purely subjective, but I find Gabriel’s Creek to be more inviting to the non-golfer.Having said that, Pressfield’s prose is most impressive, far beyond the breadth of vocabulary I demonstrated in Gabriel’s Creek. Both stories are told through the eyes of an older man, but the style of the dialog within this book reads like the older guy more so than mine. I think that’s more a credit to Pressfield than a boast of mine; I admired how he did that. Pressfield’s story benefits from this because that antique feel is essential to his tale. In my novel, the main character is an older guy, but he’s looking back at his life, at experiences and lessons that younger people might encounter at any age along their way. It’s less important to focus on his age than why his reflections now are what they are.But back to the near-second most similar theme, that of golf as a metaphor of life. Following the players through their near shot-by-shot game tells much about the characters within the story, as is the case in Gabriel’s Creek. I can honestly say I never once thought of Bagger Vance though the writing of my book, but there certainly is this common thread.This was an odd case, where I saw the movie first before reading the book now, many years later. Doesn’t it seem most often that when we’ve both read the book and seen the movie, the film is unable to even approach the quality of the story that was written first? In this case, while the characters are familiar, the enormous difference of the picture and the novel is quite a chasm. I found myself appreciating that more than complaining about it, though.I believe I can say without spoiling anything that one illustration of this is the caddie in the book was God personified, if not beyond God Himself. In the movie, the Will Smith character is more an omniscient and all-knowing mentor than the Lord in flesh. Like many film adaptations, you can see how what you visualized in the book would be difficult to physically pull off in the movie. That’s obvious here, and makes for almost two different directions taken in their final chapters. The general conclusions differ, but there’s nothing wrong with that. The broader point of the story of the book and the movie remains the same.Bagger Vance is much more involved with war, battles, warriors, and history, while Gabriel’s Creek is more cerebral, more the internal struggles and perspectives of individuals. Both stories being told with golf means that any golfer should love either. The quality of the developed skills of the craft that Pressfield displays gives Bagger Vance a technical edge, but I’m pretty proud of the quality of the story of Gabriel’s Creek, and I would hope any of my readers will be, too. I’m glad I finally read Bagger Vance, and I’m giving it a strong Goodreads 4-star rating, very close to 5-star.
"The Legend of Bagger Vance" by Steven Pressfield tees up a message of greater meaning and knocks a long drive down the fairway straight to the pin. The book, which is exquisitely written, discusses the fact that golf is a "higher plane" activity. It makes the point golf is a sport of the gods. It brings you closer to the divine. It is the only sport where the golfer has to judge himself. If he makes an error, the onus is on him to call the penalty. It is a sport where you become one with nature on courses carved out of the land. Pressfield writes of finding the "authentic swing," which is the representation of your true self. In it he says all the knowledge a person needs can be found in the hands as they grip the club. He wrote that one must play golf, as one must play the game of life, with abandon. Hold nothing back and give it your all. This spoke to me. He makes the claim that there are multiple existences occurring simultaneously, and our true self, guiding by our hands and grip on our world, finds the existence we are meant to live and drives us forward, both literally and figuratively.Essentially, Pressfield writes "Bagger Vance" to describe golf as a metaphor for life. In life, as in golf, integrity, respect, competitiveness, focus, and peace are key components. The story centers on a golfer who is struggling to find meaning in his life by the narrator telling the story of another golfer who was struggling to find meaning in his life. All three of the primary characters — the narrator, the current golfer and the past golfer — are all influenced by the mysterious caddie, Bagger Vance. Vance shows all the players "the field," which is the dimension of the world where all the possible existences live. He shows them how to give themselves to the game, which is to give themselves to life. In the story, Vance is described to be a god, or God Himself. He tells all the players that he will always be with them. When they are in their darkest hour of need, he will be by their side. He lives in all times. He has experienced everything. He is experience everything. The allusions to God are strong, and the message is clear — trust in God and everything will be OK.As I've said before, I am a big fan of Pressfield, in so much as I've read him. He inspires me, and "The Legend of Bagger Vance" didn't fail to sink the inspirational putt. It showed me to stop over thinking things. I need to live, not worry. I need to trust in God that everything will be OK, and I need to give everything to all that I do. I shouldn't hold back.I give this book 5 out of 5 Stars. Anyone who is interested in golf will be enthralled. The suspense is intense. Pressfield masterfully paints a picture of the 36 holes of golf that are played. He gives the right amount of detail without bogging down the story. The question of who Bagger Vance is, as well as how the golf match turns out, kept me turning page after page. (I aspire to write as well.) Likewise, even if you aren't a golf fan, the message of the book will strike a nerve. I recommend this book to everyone. You will be pleased you read it.
What do You think about The Legend Of Bagger Vance: A Novel Of Golf And The Game Of Life (2001)?
Life is about action; about following through. It is also the search for our authentic self, or if you're a golfer, for your authentic swing! If you've lost your authentic self, it can be found...same with your authentic swing!This book is based, in huge part, on the hindu scripture "the bhagavad gita" and has many spiritual, moral, and personal lessons to teach us. Describing it doesn't do it justice. You have to read it for yourself to understand. Don't let the golf angle put you off. If you like triumphing over adversity, you will love this book.
—Alan
I'm not a golfing fanatic, I don't watch it on tv, but I was on the edge of my seat reading about the golf match that is played in the book.The book is not at all like the film starring Matt Damon and Will Smith as Junah and Baggar Vance respectively. The book highlights the main themes treated in the film, but it goes a lot further.Golf is a game where you play against yourself, against your mind. Golf represents the war that rages inside each one of us. Each golfer is a warrior, fighting the voice and the false beliefs in him that make him doubt himself, doubt his worth, doubt his reason for being there.The book also contains the message that all warriors know that war proves our race's failure. If we can fight one another, and justify it because we see ourselves as separate from one another, then we have failed. The most honourable thing a warrior can do is move forward and be true to who he is, despite others wanting him to be someone and something else. The warrior who chooses to heal, to make whole, to put back together, is the most noble of all.Despite the serious subject and theme, there are some very funny passages throughout that will have you chuckling.A very moving book and well worth reading.
—Lisa
A good metaphor should be subtle, allowing the reader to find their own meaning within the context of the story. Sadly this is not the case with Bagger Vance. Mr. Pressfield bashes you over the head with his spiritual message. This is a shame, as he is at his best when describing the details of the game of golf itself. If you can get past all the mystical mumbo-jumbo there is a well crafted, if fanciful, match to follow. However, if that is what you are looking for you are better off with “The Greatest Game Ever Played” as it is equally well told and a true story to boot.
—Clinton Murphy
