ORLANDO ORTEGA-MEDINA reads from his new novel THE DEATH OF BASEBALL with screenwriter and director TIM MINEAR in Los Angeles

ORLANDO ORTEGA-MEDINA reads from his new novel THE DEATH OF BASEBALL with screenwriter and director TIM MINEAR

The Death of Baseball (Cloud Lodge Books)

Former Little League champion Kimitake “Clyde” Koba finds strength in the belief that he is the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe as he struggles to escape the ghost of his brother and his alcoholic father. Born on Yom Kippur, teen prodigy Raphael Dweck has been told his whole life that he has a special purpose in God’s plan. The only problem is, he can’t shake off his doubts, his urges, or the trail of trouble and ruin that follow in his wake. 

A decade later, Raphael and ‘Marilyn’ find each other wandering the plastic-bright streets of Hollywood and set out to make a documentary about the transmigration of souls. But when the roleplaying goes too far, they find themselves past the point of no return in their quest to prove who and what they are to their families, God, the world, and themselves. 

Japan and Israel collide in the City of Angels in this explosive psychological novel about faith, idol worship, and the search for identity by the author of Jerusalem Ablaze: Stories of Love and Other Obsessions. 

Praise for The Death of Baseball:

"Ortega-Medina's graphic prose is vivid...[his] deft construction of this complex plot reflects his experience in creating short stories..." —Kirkus Reviews

"...[B]eautiful, in-depth characters and compelling storytelling” —Helen Lederer, The Times Literary Supplement

“[Ortega-Medina] is at his best at his most explosive – when he lets his sensationalist side loose – and the wilder the better. I felt the emergence of an exciting, original talent.” —Jewish Renaissance

“[B]eautifully wrought, deeply unnerving…Ortega-Medina holds a mirror up to our darkest thoughts and urges – while showing the oneness of the human condition” —The Irish News

“Ortega-Medina brings a convincing passionate story of lives and dependencies, switching style and focus throughout to keep a sense of pace and engagement till the last page” —GScene Magazine

“...[N]ecessary, heartfelt, thought-provoking and sublimely perfect... Oh yes. I did say perfect” —Raven Crime Reviews

Orlando Ortega-Medina studied English Literature at UCLA and Law at Southwestern University. His short story collection Jerusalem Ablaze was shortlisted for The Polari First Book Prize (2017). In 2018, he was named the Marilyn Hassid Emerging Author for the Houston Jewish Book & Arts Festival. Ortega-Medina lives in London. 

Tim Minear is a screenwriter and director. He has been nominated for four Emmy Awards for his role as an executive producer on American Horror Story and Feud. His writing credits include "The X-Files," "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," "Zorro" amongst other TV shows. He was also an executive producer and writer on "Angel," "Firefly," "Wonderfalls," "The Inside," "Drive," "Dollhouse," and FX's "Terriers."

Categories: Holiday | Sports