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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another novel that was made into a (1961) film starring Paul Newman. I enjoyed the book as much as the movie, and enjoyed it in part, for picturing Newman as Eddie throughout.
Bookstore find. Old-timey, whiskey-laden story of pool and gambling in the late '50s. Superficial, but good.
I have not read this in 45 years, since when I had a grad seminar in the Tough Guy Novel with David Morrell at the U of Iowa. This was Tevis' MFA thesis for the Writer's Workshop there, and the university copy of his thesis was still on the open shelves! I remember back then ('75) we had a hard time finding enough copies of this for the small class (12 of us - all male!), and some of the other titles we read as well.
It is surprising how difficult it is to obtain his books even today, and about half of his short stories (including 6 or 7 on pool) have never been collected under one cover.
A short, very fast read. I read as an ebook, and there were 3 or 4 transcription errors. Nothing major.
I had forgotten how much of it was based in Chicago. A bland, generic version of Chicago. And no, I do not believe that there was housing back then in the Loop, across from the grimy,and sketchy, Greyhound Bus Station.
And then the macho, strong individual male on his own prototype of '50's America. But in the end even Eddie comes to the realization that he is not "Free". That whether he likes it or not, others control him and his destiny. The pool playing, and relationships within that world, lifts this novel up beyond the cliches that make up much of the characterization. Fast Eddie is young and handsome and thin. The people he beats are punks, fat, and "homosexuals".
Still, a good read. I may reread "The Color of Money" - which Tevis essentially wrote for money. But for sure I will be rereading (again, after many a decade) Ned Polsky's "Hustlers, Beats & Others". I seem to remember that has some really good material on the old Midwest pool circuit, which included Iowa City and Lexington, KY (both locations where this book was written) included in that study.
It is surprising how difficult it is to obtain his books even today, and about half of his short stories (including 6 or 7 on pool) have never been collected under one cover.
A short, very fast read. I read as an ebook, and there were 3 or 4 transcription errors. Nothing major.
I had forgotten how much of it was based in Chicago. A bland, generic version of Chicago. And no, I do not believe that there was housing back then in the Loop, across from the grimy,and sketchy, Greyhound Bus Station.
And then the macho, strong individual male on his own prototype of '50's America. But in the end even Eddie comes to the realization that he is not "Free". That whether he likes it or not, others control him and his destiny. The pool playing, and relationships within that world, lifts this novel up beyond the cliches that make up much of the characterization. Fast Eddie is young and handsome and thin. The people he beats are punks, fat, and "homosexuals".
Still, a good read. I may reread "The Color of Money" - which Tevis essentially wrote for money. But for sure I will be rereading (again, after many a decade) Ned Polsky's "Hustlers, Beats & Others". I seem to remember that has some really good material on the old Midwest pool circuit, which included Iowa City and Lexington, KY (both locations where this book was written) included in that study.
Another fantastic member of the noir canon. A reasonably straightforward tale of flash young pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson, and his quest for glory (and a pocket full of cash). It is a book about winning and losing, self-reflection and what it takes to know oneself.
As with many books of the genre and era, the only female character of any note – Sarah, Eddie’s damaged and fragile love interest – is weakly realised. She exists purely to advance our understanding of Eddie, but to that end, she serves as a useful device to move the story along at a cracking pace.
This is one that can be knocked over in a single sitting, and – gender politics aside – does not feel dated or antiquated in the tone or moral of the tale. I would recommend this most favourably if the testosterone does not hinder your enjoyment!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
As with many books of the genre and era, the only female character of any note – Sarah, Eddie’s damaged and fragile love interest – is weakly realised. She exists purely to advance our understanding of Eddie, but to that end, she serves as a useful device to move the story along at a cracking pace.
This is one that can be knocked over in a single sitting, and – gender politics aside – does not feel dated or antiquated in the tone or moral of the tale. I would recommend this most favourably if the testosterone does not hinder your enjoyment!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
While the plot follows a rather archetypal story line, it's the setting and descriptions that immerse you in the world of pool hustlers. A step back in time that's a quick and interesting read.
So who hustles a hustler? That's a great question that "The Hustler" answers. I really liked this look at Fast Eddie. You get a great sense of the character and the supporting characters. I was left pondering what happens next to him and Sarah (if anything). And if Eddie finds a way out or not. I just really enjoyed this and want to read the sequel, [b:The Color of Money|323171|The Color of Money|Walter Tevis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348257578l/323171._SX50_.jpg|313879] when I get a chance. This book is set in the late 50s so at times it feels quite old, but it fits the plot. This book ended up feeling ageless to me throughout my reading of it.
"The Hustler" follows Eddie Felson, known as Fast Eddie. Eddie is a pool hustler. Him and his "manager" and friend Charlie take a run at Minnesota Flats in Chicago. We find out a lot about what makes Eddie tick and whether he has it in him to actually win and not get fixated on the risk of the game and blowing it all.
I liked Eddie. Which was shocking. There's a few things that go on and part of you may feel some disgust with him. Eddie is like a junkie in need of a fix, and then towards the end you see him getting it under control. However, what does Eddie really win in the end?
I loved the character of Sarah. I am still puzzled at her (in a good way). Seems like a young woman who is trying to play as being hard though some softness comes in here and there. Eddie seems to foist himself on her, but neither of them seem ready to let the other go. Eddie wants to force Sarah to fold and give in to him (has to be a winner it seems in all things) and Sarah is his opposite, she's okay with losing if she wins the big thing (him.).
I liked the character of Bert who is not what he seems.
The writing and pace of the book really works. I didn't feel as if the book had not aged well. I thought it just felt timeless in so many ways.
The settings of Chicago, Kentucky in the 1950s feels like a bygone era where there seemed to be rules (for hustling and lying).
The ending definitely has me intrigued enough to read the second book.
I read this one for Halloween Bingo 2021, "Lethal Games" square.
"The Hustler" follows Eddie Felson, known as Fast Eddie. Eddie is a pool hustler. Him and his "manager" and friend Charlie take a run at Minnesota Flats in Chicago. We find out a lot about what makes Eddie tick and whether he has it in him to actually win and not get fixated on the risk of the game and blowing it all.
I liked Eddie. Which was shocking. There's a few things that go on and part of you may feel some disgust with him. Eddie is like a junkie in need of a fix, and then towards the end you see him getting it under control. However, what does Eddie really win in the end?
I loved the character of Sarah. I am still puzzled at her (in a good way). Seems like a young woman who is trying to play as being hard though some softness comes in here and there. Eddie seems to foist himself on her, but neither of them seem ready to let the other go. Eddie wants to force Sarah to fold and give in to him (has to be a winner it seems in all things) and Sarah is his opposite, she's okay with losing if she wins the big thing (him.).
I liked the character of Bert who is not what he seems.
The writing and pace of the book really works. I didn't feel as if the book had not aged well. I thought it just felt timeless in so many ways.
The settings of Chicago, Kentucky in the 1950s feels like a bygone era where there seemed to be rules (for hustling and lying).
The ending definitely has me intrigued enough to read the second book.
I read this one for Halloween Bingo 2021, "Lethal Games" square.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes