Shipping Through the Holidays β˜€οΈπŸ“¦

Boxing Day Sale is live! Up to 20% off 2000+ Books

Charming Billy

3.48 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 12,014 ratings, 1,149 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Charming Billy by Alice McDermott delves into the life and legacy of Billy Lynch, a New Yorker who is celebrated and mourned by friends and family. Through reminiscences at his funeral, the novel unravels the complexities of Billy's charming yet troubled life, exploring themes of love, faith, and the way stories and memories shape our understanding of a person. It's a poignant exploration of human connections and the intricacies of remembering someone after they're gone.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Charming Billy. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're drawn to poignant tales exploring themes of love, loss, and the intricacies of human relationships, wrapped in lush, evocative prose. It's perfect for those who appreciate character-driven stories with a deep emotional resonance and a touch of nostalgic charm. Set within an Irish-American community, it delves into the complexities of family and friendship with sensitivity and insight.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Charming Billy

The late Billy Lynch's family and friends gather at a bar in the Bronx to remember better times. They admire the way his widow, Maeve, is holding up but one cannot think of Billy without saying "There was that girl." Soon the twisted grief of Maeve, Billy and his cousin Dennis becomes apparent.

Winner of the 1998 National Book Award for Fiction, the top literary prize in the United States, beating Tom Wolfe and Robert Stone. For fans of Anne Tyler

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The late Billy Lynch's family and friends gather at a small bar and grill in the Bronx to remember better times. His widow, Maeve, is there, and everyone admires the way she is holding up, just as they always admired the way she cared for Billy after the alcohol had ruined him. But one cannot think of Billy without saying at some point, 'There was that girl'.

On Long Island one summer years ago, Billy fell in love with a beautiful Irish girl working for a wealthy Park Avenue family. Billy wanted to marry Eva, but then she went back to Ireland. And then Billy's cousin Dennis had to break the terrible news: Eva had died of pneumonia. Billy never got over it. Anybody who knew him would tell you so. Billy began courting Maeve not long after, but for the rest of their lives, he, she, and Dennis shared a hidden, twisted grief.

Charming Billy explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of secrets, as the characters reflect on Billy's life and the choices that shaped their destinies.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Charming Billy by Alice McDermott is praised for its subtle storytelling and the power of the unsaid. It challenges stereotypes, particularly the clichΓ©d image of the "lovable Irish drunk," offering a complex exploration of familiar narratives and elusive truths.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780747545392

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 August 2000

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Edition: New edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 239g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Alice McDermott is the author of AT WEDDINGS AND WAKES, a New York Times bestseller; THAT NIGHT, shortlisted for the National Book Award; and A BIGAMIST'S DAUGHTER. She lives with her family near Washington.

Also by Alice McDermott

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.