FAQ for
The Natural (1984) More at IMDbPro »

Yes. The Natural is based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Bernard Malamud.

This is left ambiguous in the film, but the novel explains it more. In the novel it is clear that she is insane and is obsessed with killing any athlete who does not play the game for the "right" reasons. She asks Roy why he plays, and this is a form of the heroes test which he fails and as a result she shoots and tries to kill Roy. Originally she had intended to kill The Whammer, but when Roy strikes him out she switches her attention to Hobbs.

The main difference is in the ending. In the film Roy Hobbs refuses the Judges offer to throw the game and hits a game winning home run.. In the novel Roy strikes out and afterwards is confronted by a disappointed child who says "Say it ain't so Roy". It is implied that Roy struck out deliberately to throw the game.. The film also contains a number of other differences. The filmmakers have stated that the film was not meant to be a literal adaptation of the novel.