Robert M. (shotokanchef) reviewed An Albany Trio: Legs / Billy Phelan's Greatest Game / Ironweed on + 813 more book reviews
Legs
The "Roaring Twenties", prohibition, gangsters galore. This is the era of "Legs" Diamond told from the hooligan side of the coin. That in itself is refreshing. A good bit of historical fiction, better (I think) than his Pulitzer Prize sequel, Ironweed.
Billy Phelan's Greatest Game
Continuing his historical fiction of Albany during the gangster era, this is about a kidnapping of a political hooligan's son. Billy, a hustler and acquaintance of the son, is an unlikely hero who inadvertently provides the clue to resolving the problem. Rather convoluted and in parts as unbelievable as a comic strip, this does allow the introduction of the character next in line to star in an Albany novel (Ironweed): Billy's estranged dad.
Ironweed
Billy Phelan's dad has reemerged in Albany following a life as a baseball player and bindlestiff. Now he finally settles down to life as vagrant in the old home town. This is life as it is for those who comprise the society of the back alleys of conurbation. Somewhere in this muddle of humanity, dad is resolved with his family.
The "Roaring Twenties", prohibition, gangsters galore. This is the era of "Legs" Diamond told from the hooligan side of the coin. That in itself is refreshing. A good bit of historical fiction, better (I think) than his Pulitzer Prize sequel, Ironweed.
Billy Phelan's Greatest Game
Continuing his historical fiction of Albany during the gangster era, this is about a kidnapping of a political hooligan's son. Billy, a hustler and acquaintance of the son, is an unlikely hero who inadvertently provides the clue to resolving the problem. Rather convoluted and in parts as unbelievable as a comic strip, this does allow the introduction of the character next in line to star in an Albany novel (Ironweed): Billy's estranged dad.
Ironweed
Billy Phelan's dad has reemerged in Albany following a life as a baseball player and bindlestiff. Now he finally settles down to life as vagrant in the old home town. This is life as it is for those who comprise the society of the back alleys of conurbation. Somewhere in this muddle of humanity, dad is resolved with his family.
