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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.