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The Hustler

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The Hustler

Written by: Walter Tevis
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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To Fast Eddie Felsen, a young pool hustler, there was only one thing that mattered: to make the big time and the big money in the world of pool by beating the best in the country.

Hustling suckers in small towns for good stake money was practice for his goal, and when he felt ready he went to Bennington's pool hall in Chicago to find Minnesota Fats. Eddie and Fats pit nerve against skill in a fantastic match over an unbroken 36 hours. Eddie's final painful loss teaches him that nerve alone isn't enough - guts, stamina, and character make the difference between winners and losers.

It takes an interlude with Sarah, an alcoholic and a born loser, to bring the lesson home, and the shrewd advice and backing of Bert, a professional gambler, to put it into practice. Bert knows talent without character is nothing and stakes Eddie to a climactic all-or-nothing rematch. When it is over, Eddie knows a great deal more about big-time pool, about money, and about himself. In beating Fats he became the best in the country.

©2014 Walter Tevis (P)2016 Tantor Classics Fiction Literary Fiction
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Profile Image for DALEE. Planette

engaging as ever

Geez I like Walter Tevis more and more. This book is quite similar to the film, without the weird, uncomfortable ending. But all the tension, build-up, and eagerness and uncertainty of youth, is as tight as ever. Minnesota Fats, I've just discovered, was a character invented by Tevis and later emulated by a real life pool player. Whereas Fast Eddie simply delivers, while wallowing in his loser-winner dichotomy and trying to understand his life.
A great story, works just as well in 2023 as when written in 1959. Funny tho, while reading, I had difficulty placing it in time.
The narration certainly borrows from the film, as you can't help but hear Jackie Gleason in Fats' voice and Newman when Felson speaks.
All in all, I'd recommend and will read again. It's a short book but easy on the senses (at least until Eddie gets beat up -again).

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