Book Review: There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib
From the moment I heard about There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, I knew I was in for something special. Hanif Abdurraqib has a rare gift for turning sports into poetry, and as someone who often finds solace in the connection between art and athletics, I was eager to dive into this exploration of despair, hope, and the messy beauty of longing through the lens of basketball.
Abdurraqib’s writing resonates deeply, capturing the ferocity of fandom and the personal stakes embedded within every dribble, pass, and dunk. He invites us into a space where sports narratives intertwine with life’s complexities. The themes run deep: failure, aspiration, and the magnetic pull of the "what could be." As I read, I found myself reflecting on my own sporting experiences, recalling moments of crescendo and disillusionment that felt utterly universal.
The author’s narrative style is both lyrical and conversational. One moment, you’re swept up in a rapturous description of a dunk contest—“a reality setting in that we are incapable and yet still in flight”—and the next, you’re grappling with the bittersweet reality of placing faith in losing teams. Abdurraqib’s ability to shift from elation to melancholy is captivating; it feels like a game of emotional basketball where every shot is a personal history, and every miss holds its importance.
Among the many powerful quotes, a poignant reflection stands out: “There’s something about that kind of losing… where you are close enough to touch and taste the finality of being sole victors, but never actually holding it.” This sentiment profoundly resonated with me—not just as a sports fan, but as someone who’s navigated the highs and lows of various aspirations. It articulates a truth I’ve felt but struggled to express: the tension between desire and reality, and how intimately they dance with each other.
How does one articulate the experience of watching your team lose season after season? Abdurraqib does it beautifully, revealing layers of vulnerability and resilience. His discussion of "begging songs" and the emotional landscapes they traverse draws parallels between music and sports, creating an expansive framework for understanding our own yearnings. It echoes my love for music as a safe haven during life’s uncertain moments, a connection I can relate to deeply.
This book isn’t just for basketball fans; it’s for anyone who’s ever felt the sting of aspiration or the pull of nostalgia. It’s a heartfelt celebration of humanity’s eternal dance with hope, resilience, and the comforting notion that, “There’s always next year.”
In closing, There’s Always This Year impacted me on both a personal and intellectual level. Abdurraqib deftly merges the exhilaration of sports with raw introspection, making his exploration of basketball an invitation to confront our own life narratives. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for a reflective experience that dives into the depths of what it means to dream, fail, and try again. It’s a read that lingers long after the final chapter, reminding us of the beauty found even in our most tumultuous moments.
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