Cover of Billy Phelan's Greatest Game

Billy Phelan's Greatest Game

by William Kennedy · 1978

The Albany Cycle seriesNext:Ironweed(1983) →

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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.

Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of thisliterary fictionliterary fictionMore like thisLess of thisnoirnoirMore like thisLess of this
Themes
sportssportsMore like thisLess of this
Setting
20th century20th centuryMore like thisLess of thisAlbanyAlbanyMore like thisLess of thisNew York StateNew York StateMore like thisLess of thisUSAUSAMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 288 pages

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