Memoirs of a Rugby Playing Man

MEMOIRS OF A RUGBY PLAYING MAN

A STORY OF A MAN'S PASSION FOR THE GREAT GAME AND IT'S CULTURE

Jay Atkinson is a man with an unbelievable passion for Rugby Union, a life-long player and enthusiast of the sport, and one of many individuals around the world who has had his life altered forever by the remarkable culture that accompanies rugby wherever it is played and loved. In his autobiography, "Memoirs of a Rugby Playing Man", Atkinson reflects on how he became acquainted with rugby in Nova Scotia, and then takes the reader through the rest of his rugby playing career; his tale spans across continents, over countless rugby pitches, through matches, parties, conversations, injuries, victories, losses, and all else that comes along with rugby. Whether intended or not, Atkinson's book has become a description of rugby and it's culture.



SUMMARY

A BRIEF SUMMARY

Jay Atkinson's novel is an autobiography, and tells of his experience with rugby and his time at the University of Florida. Atkinson starts out the book with a story of his first rugby game, played up near Wolfville, Nova Scotia against a team of Coal Miners. From that moment, "[Jay] was hooked."

The story followed Jay down to the University of Florida, where between classes with his inspirational professor Harry Crews and stints in bars, parties, and police stations, Jay truly picked up his eternal love for rugby, playing as hooker for the University. The story might be written as an autobiography, but it reads like a textbook on rugby culture: Jay time and time again touches upon the hilarity, the insanity, and the day to day life of university level rugby players, which makes up the heart of Rugby Culture. 

The book's intended audience however, is a bit blurry. With all the alcohol references and the university setting, the book is clearly not written for younger readers, but past that, the book can appeal to anybody: beginner rugby players, college-level players, ex-players, life-long players, and anybody else who wishes to learn about Rugby's amazing culture. The book is not made for any specific group of people; like rugby, it's made for anybody and everybody who will enjoy it, and there are no true limits as to who it appeals to. 

The tone of the book comes off very nostalgic, and it's perfect considering the subject. The book is written by a man looking back on the best days of his life, and talking about one of the most incredible sports to ever be played. He puts a light spin on the stories, truly breaking right through to the hilarity of otherwise serious situations like bar fights, getting arrested, and getting injured seriously. The book is happy and upbeat and though the nostalgia can come off quite thick at points, it always feels just right in the end.