The development of sport in the twentieth century has been examined from a variety of angles. Rarely, though, has the work of the creative writer been considered in detail. This book directs its attention to this neglected area, examining a selection of novels in which the subject of sport has featured prominently. It highlights the ways in which novelists in the second half of the twentieth century have approached sport, explained its place in society, and through the sporting subject constructed a critique of the historical circumstances in which their narrative is set. The study therefore seeks to complement the increasing body of work on the representation of sport through such media as film, television, and autobiography. It also brings a fresh dimension to the use made by historians of literary sources, suggesting that creative fiction can be far more valuable as historical evidence than has customarily been acknowledged.
«His book has much to offer. Drawing on and extending Michael Oriard's work on representations of American sport as constructive forces, Hill brings important attention to understudied fictions of British sport in particular; moreover, his literary selections direct us to broaden and deepen our sense for what sports fiction and sports history mean.» (Thomas A. Hamill, Journal of British Studies)