Charming Billy
by ALICE MCDERMOTT
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Book Summary Information
Author: ALICE MCDERMOTTEdition: Paperback
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 1999-01-12
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 256
Book Reviews of Charming Billy
Book Review: Touching, tragic tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Charming Billy is the story of a man who touches the lives of everyone he meets, especially his large Irish Catholic family. He has the gift of gab, is an honest man who goes out of his way for others, and, perhaps above all, hurts himself and the ones he loves with his alcoholism. While renovating a house on Long Island with his cousin and best friend, Dennis, Billy meets Eva, an Irish girl who is in the States to nanny for a wealthy family, and he falls completely in love with her. Sadly, things don't work out, and Billy uses this as his lifelong excuse to drink himself to death. The author is clear, however, that the end of the relationship isn't the cause of the alcoholism. That disease, of course, was raging even before that happened.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Billy's cousin's daughter, at times directed to her husband, and I admit that I found this to be awkward. The relationship between her and her husband is never developed at all - it really couldn't even be called a sub-plot. I think the author should have left that out.
Another reviewer mentioned surprise at the three-star rating of this book, and I must say, I agree. A common factor in the 5-star reviews seems to be that we see our family in these people, and this is definitely true for me. We're a practicing Catholic, Irish family and I kept imagining this story taking place in my late grandmother's house (although we're from Cleveland, not New York). I saw Billy, Dennis, and Daniel in my relatives. The author does a superb job of capturing the life, mannerisms, and emotions of the Irish-American family. She obviously lived it. Just as I probably wouldn't understand the dynamics of, say, an Italian-American family, maybe it's difficult for others to see what the big deal is. On a side note, I also must add that is was very refreshing to see my religion presented in a positive light in a popular novel instead of the usual negativity.
Definitely read this book, especially is you have Irish roots. I will bet you'll be surprised about the parallels between your family and Billy's.
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