The last truly redeeming sports-themed novel I read was Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch. Hornby’s memoir, which recounts his Arsenal soccer obsession, rightfully earned praise for its study of sports affinities and the roles they can play in father-son and even spousal relationships.

Shehan Karunatilaka’s The Legend of Pradeep Mathew is an equally important work. Karunatilaka writes with wit, insight and verve. And the man knows cricket, his vehicle of choice for the exploration of racism, corruption, entitlement, colonialism and even love and affection. While the book runs long, I found my leisure pursuit pick up pace as I invested myself deeper within its pages.

I awoke pleased today and possessing a secret appreciation knowing I could dedicated the afternoon to finishing the story. A kind of luxurious Sunday decadence with no sin, if you will.

There’s a bit of a mystery to the book. No spoilers here. Just an admonition to check out Karunatilaka’s debut novel, which is happy at times, occasionally angry and always affectionate in an earned intimacy with the reader. I rank it up there with Fever Pitch, most certainly.