Synopses & Reviews
There are tough times ahead for sixteen-year-old Billy. After his mother dies, he goes to Fort Worth with his father, whose drinking and gambling leave them all but penniless. Desperate to make a life for himself, Billy heads over to Colonial Country Club, where he hopes to get work as a caddie. He finds much more than he bargained for.
Before long, Billy makes a place for himself behind the privileged walls of Colonial. His attitude draws the approval of an eccentric millionaire club member, while his looks draw the attention of the millionaire's beautiful granddaughter--much to the displeasure of her boyfriend, the club champion. But Billy's run of luck is short-lived, as he confronts the hard realities of the world and of human nature both on and off the golf course. Now, Billy must face down his fears and doubts about where he comes from, where he wants to go, and who he really is. Bud Shrake's Billy Boy is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of life, love, and beating the odds, set against the far-reaching horizons of the American West.
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Mike Shea Texas Monthly A big-hearted tribute to the Zen of golf in Fort Worth, circa 1950...This golf fable doesn't shy away from honest emotions. Shrake's version of the past is not scratched and dinged by reality but worn to a pleasing patina by the passage of time.
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Michael Griffith The Washington Post A quick-paced, sturdy, plainspoken novel.
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Mike Shea
Texas Monthly
A big-hearted tribute to the Zen of golf in Fort Worth, circa 1950...This golf fable doesn't shy away from honest emotions. Shrake's version of the past is not scratched and dinged by reality but worn to a pleasing patina by the passage of time.
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The San Diego Union-Tribune Takes a swing at at golf fiction with enjoyable results.
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Judi Goldenberg Richmond Times-Dispatch A vivid account of a golden age of golf and the men who made it memorable.
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Larry McMurtry Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lonesome Dove A brilliant novel...Bud Shrake has done himself proud.
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Larry McMurtry Billy Boy is a brilliant novel, accurate as to golf, struggle, human emotion and 1950s Fort Worth. Bud Shrake has done himself proud.
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Dan Jenkins Billy Boy is a marvelous and inspiring novel. A story of honor and the human spirit, and you don't even have to play golf to enjoy it.
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Darrell Royal The same way a great golfer makes the game look easy, Bud Shrake has written a book that does everything for you but turn the pages. Reading this book is like watching a great movie that pulls you in and keeps you going until you are finished and wanting to live it again....For golfers this book is a pure joy. You've gotta read it!
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Don Meredith I love this book. It touches me deeply on several levels.
About the Author
Bud Shrake is the coauthor of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book and the author of many novels and screenplays. He lives in Austin, Texas.