Billy Boy - by Bud Shrake (Paperback)

About the Book

Combining true-to-life golf, legendary figures from the past, a touch of divine intervention, and a Texas ambiance so real one can taste the road dust, Shrake weaves the appeal of "The Christmas Box, Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, " and "The Last Picture Show" into a novel of great charm and originality.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

The San Diego Union-Tribune Takes a swing at at golf fiction with enjoyable results.

Judi Goldenberg Richmond Times-Dispatch A vivid account of a golden age of golf and the men who made it memorable.

Larry McMurtry Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lonesome Dove A brilliant novel...Bud Shrake has done himself proud.

Michael Griffith The Washington Post A quick-paced, sturdy, plainspoken novel.

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.

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.