Mention About Books Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (The Albany Cycle #2)
| Title | : | Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (The Albany Cycle #2) |
| Author | : | William Kennedy |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 288 pages |
| Published | : | January 27th 1983 by Penguin Books (first published 1978) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. Literature. Literary Fiction. Novels |
William Kennedy
Paperback | Pages: 288 pages Rating: 3.94 | 1063 Users | 58 Reviews
Ilustration To Books Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (The Albany Cycle #2)
The second novel in William Kennedy’s much-loved Albany cycle depicts Billy Phelan, a slightly tarnished poker player, pool hustler, and small-time bookie. A resourceful man full of Irish pluck, Billy works the fringes of the Albany sporting life with his own particular style and private code of honor, until he finds himself in the dangerous position of potential go-between in the kidnapping of a political boss’s son.
List Books In Pursuance Of Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (The Albany Cycle #2)
| Original Title: | Billy Phelan's Greatest Game |
| ISBN: | 0140063404 (ISBN13: 9780140063400) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | The Albany Cycle #2 |
Rating About Books Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (The Albany Cycle #2)
Ratings: 3.94 From 1063 Users | 58 ReviewsDiscuss About Books Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (The Albany Cycle #2)
Prohibition-era Albany provided the setting for Kennedy's next novel, Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (1978). This time, however, the milieu Kennedy chose to explore--Democratic machine politics--was closer to home and did not require such extensive research. The book is told from the point of view of a journalist, Martin Daugherty, and revolves around the unsuccessful attempt to kidnap the son of a prominent political boss. The title character, Billy Phelan, is a pool shark and ward operative whoThis was even better than the first. I quoted it several times on Facebook.
William Kennedy knows how to write. This was my third Kennedy novel; I've also read 'Quinn's Book' and 'Legs.' In each one, he manages to create something light -- almost magical, nearly whimsical, just lovely -- and dark -- shot through with the hardship and dirt and bone poverty of 1930's Albany, New York.Also, I picked this for my book group and it ended up being a great selection. We had a lively discussion and I think almost everyone felt kind of crushy about Billy. I've never seen that
Pool hustler, gambler, frequenter of Albany's bars, Billy Phelan owes money on a lost bet. Meanwhile a kidnapping in town gets Billy wrapped up in a mess he wanted no part of. I really enjoyed it. Don't know what else to say.
An excellent read. This novel details the seamy underbelly of Albany, NY circa 1938. When a scion of the local Democratic "machine" family is kidnapped, a scruffily noble gambler/hustler (the title character) and a philosophical but somewhat dissolute newspaper man are both affected in ways that are different but connected. The narrative is told from both of their perspectives. Literary and complex.
I really enjoyed Billy Phelan's Greatest Game as my favorite of the first three Albany books from William Kennedy. We follow ne'er-do-well Billy Phelan, broke gambler, roller of 299 in bowling (pesky 4-pin), and erstwhile malgré lui helper of the cops in a kidnapping case. The story is fast-moving with lively characters and a pleasure to read.This book moves at a slightly faster pace, in albeit a shorter timespace, than Legs or Ironweed. Billy is a fun character, you want him to win, despite all
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