In 1996, McGinniss, a soccer tifoso (or rabid fan), settled in the Italian village of Castel di Sangro to watch its scraggly team — just admitted to the big leagues — for a season. A humble premise, but a fruitful one, thanks to a cast of characters that includes an obdurate coach, shady refs, sinister moneymen, and the ebullient players. McGinniss has never been a subtle writer: in The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro his esteem for the ragged team can border on oh-gentle-savage paternalism, and a twist at the ending feels mildly exploitive. Still, he has enthusiasm enough to absorb even the sports-averse, who may finally understand the zeal of the soccer fanatic. B
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