Book description
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Ironweed explores the seedy underbelly of a Depression-era town in the second novel in the Albany cycle
Billy Phelan, a slightly tarnished poker player, pool hustler, and small-time bookie, moves throuh the lurid nighttime glare of Albany, New York. A resourceful man full of Irish…
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Why read it?
1 author picked Billy Phelan's Greatest Game as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Forget about "Ironweed," this is Kennedy's best book: Nothing short of a literary miracle, a contender for The Great American novel.
All the titular games, including the central kidnapping, drive the narrative, but this book is really about fathers and sons, guilt and expiation: very Irish, very Catholic, very on the hustle, very tough guy. The wordplay is often delicious, as is the laugh out loud humor.
As close to a forgotten masterpiece as you'll ever find.
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