Charming
Billy by Alice McDermott
Published by Bloomsbury , 2000
Alice
McDermott’s award winning book 'Charming Billy' opens with
Billy Lynch’s family and friends having gathered at a small
Bronx bar to comfort his widow and reminisce about Billy’s
life, which was shadowed by the ghost of a 'dead' lover Eva.
The
devastating effects of Billy’s alcoholism on his family and
friends is brilliantly exposed in this book and one might argue
that his undying love and grieving for the loss of Eva, even after
his marriage to Maeve, is just a feeble excuse for his excessive
drinking.
This
book is eloquently written and lends itself very well as Book Club
material, as it highlights lots of issues for discussion.
We found it well worth reading.
Reviewed
by Kilrush Library Bookclub.
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