This is a novel about a fictional university while also being an unflinching assessment of big time college football programs, inspired by real events and headlines. I love college football, but can also recognize its problematic aspects. This book gives space for both, and my favorite character was the Professor, who helped explain why we love it *and* why its so problematic.

What worked for me:
-- The football descriptions were mostly great and very immersive. Although I've never played a down of football, I've watched plenty. The author's descriptions do a great job of really putting you fully in to practices and games, and also understanding the extreme demands placed on the young men who play.
-- The Professor. Great character, great vehicle for explaining and examining tribal dynamics
-- I was rooting for Wally & Henry the whole way through. I was bought in and desperately wanted them to find their way to a happy ending. I was so frustrated with some of Wally's choices, but I never questioned his motivation.

What didn't work as well:
-- Timeline jumps. I'm ok with a book that has a prologue that starts in a different time than the main narrative, or books with a dual timeline/dual narratives. The problem I had with this book is there were timeline jumps back within a chapter, page, or even paragraph. I found myself re-reading sections to make sure I was clear on where we were. It kept pulling me out of that focused reading enjoyment zone.
-- There were a couple football game descriptions that would jump from very cursory to very detailed. Based on scores, it was clear that field goals had been kicked during the period elapsed, but no explanation given for why we didn't hear about them. Readers not into football may not even catch it, but those into football will, and I think we could have used a reminder about the two kickers and how they were being used. (at least for the first big game scene)
-- First person narrative. It worked pretty well to get us deeply immersed in Wally's perspective, but became awkward when other perspectives were needed to finish the plot. Dion and Samantha's narratives seemed like bolt-on devices to bring the story home.

Building on that last point, in my opinion, what kept this from being a great book was the first person narrative choice. I think it would have been much stronger and more impactful in third person. And I think there was a missed opportunity with the tribe, which could have been its own "character." I've read other books that have used similar "characters" as kind of a greek chorus. (The church ladies in The Mothers by Brit Bennett comes to mind). I found the tribal stuff fascinating and that's probably why I loved the Professor so much.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This was an ambitious undertaking and pretty darn well done.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this hard-hitting book through NetGalley.

Sins of the Tribe is a no-holds-barred portrayal of the toxic environment that so often exists in big-time college sports. The tribe in this book consists of the players, coaches, the college administration, alumni and fans of a fictional big-time college football powerhouse. The tribe worships the team and its players, where any and all acts are forgiven as long as the team wins.

The story revolves around two brothers, who are the same age but born of different mothers. One of the brothers is a star high school quarterback, but not talented enough to be a starter in college. His brother, never diagnosed but mentally handicapped in some way, is an amazing placekicker, truly capable of being a star kicker in college. The kicker's holder is, of course, his brother.

The boys' dream of playing for their favorite big-time college programs turns sour when their dream becomes reality. The author portrays how players are used and abused by their coaches and many other forms of corruption can be part and parcel of a big-time sports program. The reader can easily associate real-life coaches and real-life universities that resemble the fictional school in this book.

The book started a bit slow and seemed like a coming-of-age story about the two brothers, but quickly became a fascinating, though troubling, story.

I found this book to be a fascinating story about first, child abuse, group tribalism and college football. The first chapter was a little confusing but after that, It talks about two young men, one with “issues”. This young man has a talent. He can kick football field goals with incredible accuracy. However, he will only do it with his brother planting the football. This is how both end up as walk ons on a college football team. This school team has policies for student athletes, requiring education, honesty, commitment to each other and the team. All goes well until the long tenured coach passes away. Now everything changes abruptly when the new coach arrives. After I got through the first couple chapters, I found myself unable to put the book down until I finished.

I should start with saying football is not really my thing. I still wanted to check this book out because the characters sounded interesting and often sports stories are more about the people in them than the sport. The first chapter of this book was so bizarre and unappealing I wasn’t sure I would make it through the rest. I did finish it and the story did get better, in some ways. This story is about how college football uses up their players giving them a half assed education in exchange. This story is about corrupt systems full of powerful, white, men. This story is about child abuse and ongoing physical abuse. And while Wally’s moral compass does hit some of the sins I see he engages in some others that I think are still part of them problem. Wally and his adoptive brother Henry are stuck in a tiny town with The Minister but Wally knows how to get them out. Henry is undiagnosed but has some delays and deficits cognitively and socially, but he is a super star kicker. Wally has dreamed of being part of The Tribe, fictional Bastille University’s football team. I did like The professor and Samantha, but I didn’t like most of the characters. Overall I gave this one 2.5 stars rounded up to make up for football not being my thing. I didn’t really like this one, but if you like college football this one may be more your style.

A thoughtful look at tribalism through the lens of collegiate football. Done carefully enough to bring to mind the larger tribal takeover of the GOP and the damage that tribalism does to the world we live in. There is a lot of game play minutiae but it’s essential to understanding the characters and the theme. There is discovery on every page, learning about the world away from what you’ve always known, moments when character is revealed, lives that are restructured as the campus is, and as the characters’ actions and reactions cause them to become. It is a moving story which causes the reader to re-examine institutions through the lens of the cultures they encourage or reinforce. Highly recommend. It is a book to spark reflection and discussion.

As an avid college football fan, I was excited to read this novel. An interesting, if dark, look at playing division 1 football.

Initially I requested this book as my husband has been a high school football coach for 45+ years and I wanted to get a sense of the enthusiasm that always envelops him. What I didn't anticipate was how emotional I would become as I was drawn into the story from the very first page as it sucked my heart and soul out of my body (and then replaced them, fortunately)! Wow, I can't even begin to explain how deeply it affected me. Protagonist Wally is given a chance to play for The Tribe because his brother, Henry--though he's on the spectrum--is a fabulous kicker who lets nothing deter him. But this team has its own problems as they fight for superiority. Fortunately, there are also incredible mentors like Wally's professor and even Samantha, the journalist who Wally is suspect about at first. Plot aside, this novel is just incredible in its humor, its pathos, its understanding of football, and most of all humanity with all its pitfalls and challenges. I cried through much of it, but I feel like I am a better person for having read this book. I will never watch another game the same way and without thinking of this incredible novel; should be required reading for players and families!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The title of this book refers most directly to the ambience and football program of the fictional Bastille university om the southern U.S. While the football content is broadly and accurately presented, yhe true tribalism portrayed is that of the organising principle of human society. The characters of the main actors Wally, Henry, Dion and Samanth Samantha are finely drawn and believably portrayed.

Excellent look at the innards of big-time college football. Readers will, no doubt, feel a range of emotions as they read about the fights and struggles to produce a winning program.