It’s the story of twins Julio and Esteban, baseball players from the fictional Caribbean country of Courteguay who aim for the big leagues while being controlled by a mysterious man in a hot-air balloon known as the Wizard.

That rumbling you just heard came from L. Frank Baum's grave.

Well, Kinsella has never been known for avoiding pastiche. It gives his writing a kind of pomo edge.

I am glad to hear he's "back in the game." Kinsella had been battling bad health, and isn't in his first youth anymore. I don't always like his work, but he's written more good baseball fiction than anyone else, in all kinds of modes.

Canadian release only, presumably no e-book? Guess I'll read it in 20 or so years, then.

I am obviously ignorant to the ways of the world if I can't understand how a book can only be released in Canada.

I am obviously ignorant to the ways of the world if I can't understand how a book can only be released in Canada.

It's not like it's illegal to order from amazon.ca from the US.

Importation of this book is specifically prohibited by NAFTA.

Lots of books are published in Canada but not in the US. Canadian authors' books usually get this treatment unless they're Margaret Atwood or somebody; hence Kinsella's publication history. There are also a fair number of translations from European languages into English, things that first published in the UK but not good candidates for the general US market (where books have to have huge earning potential to make it into the mix at B&N).

As the Chef says, though, there are ways. When Lake St Clair freezes over, guys will cross at night in iceboats loaded with experimental fiction.

Oh, I order plenty from amazon.ca but I was speaking in terms of "what my public library will order"--and I'm too broke to buy More Paper Books right now.