"Billy Phelan" is not as moving or universal a novel as Ironweed but, nevertheless, is a significant advance for Kennedy. When compared to it's predecessor in the Albany trilogy (Legs), BP seems to me to have greater allegorical depth while also presenting many of its theses in a clearer manner. That is, while there's more going on under the surface level pseudo-realism about Albany politics and seedy hangouts it's easier for the reader to get at this reflective, substantive stuff.

Billy Phelan is ostracized, blacklisted from the hustler's life he has whole heatedly embraced simply for staying true to the ethos he takes to be indelibly imbued into the hustler's way of being. He is a man who wants nothing more than to be a part of the action. He wants not for power, for material gain, for fame; rather he wants nothing more than to thrive in his element...to exercise his given powers and innate drives to their full capacity. And yet, what he quickly learns is that most of his would be compatriots are quick to roll over to power, to kneel and kiss the ring, to junk the code of the streets just as soon as there is an inkling of repercussion. Billy, however, is true blue and is thus nearly hoisted by his own petard.

Perhaps Kennedy is suggesting that the reach of power is inescapable. That even those of us who don't care for it, don't live by it, and don't strive for it are still easily quashed if we end up registering on the wrong radar. However, Billy ultimately finds himself reestablished in the Albany nightlife. He isn't ruined by his uncompromising commitments. Instead he is saved by the adoring pen of the other principle character, martin Daugherty.

Daugherty himself is full of contradiction and compromise, but he has the presence of mind to appreciate Billy as an idealization come to life, a kind of perfect specimen of his chosen species. This suggests then, that while perhaps some of us have the luxury of leading an uncompromising existence, the compromises of others are perhaps an necessary precondition for our so living. Maybe we wouldn't compromise are little more than free riders, parasites sucking, leeching off of the respect of those given in to moderation. ( )

The second book in William Kennedy's Albany Cycle is my first exposure to the author. The story paints stunning pictures of the most regular types of people. People who are types coarse and confused are transformed into marvelous enigmas. The interactions of these various worknig stiffs, hustlers, political big wigs, and bums splattered across the canvas of the town that is Albany (no doubt a character in itself) keep the story interesting. The story does lag in some parts though, and you put it down jsut to run into some amazing bit when you pick it up again. It's a cycle of strides and lags, and the strides are fortunately more prevalent. Kennedy's writing has a very unique signature tone, and he pulls off many amazing lines that just fill a reader with joy. It's like finding the prize in the cereal box. Lines like "For crying at trouble... was almost as good as weeping with love" or the description of Edward Daugherty's handwriting being like "a wheat field on a windless day", or even the proclamation that "we must all give hairpins to sick whores". These instances really make give the novel its shine and softens any shortcomings that befall it. My copy of this book no doubt passed through a couple of thrift stores and landed in the hands of my uncle, who passed it on to me. I have to thank him for it. I am ready to take Ironweed from my shelf sometime soon and dig into the skull of another Phelan, with pleasure. ( )

1986 Billy Phelan's Greatest Game, by William Kennedy (read 9 Mar 1986) This is the second book in a trilogy and tells about a kidnapping of Charlie McCall, who is in the family which controls Albany. Martin Dougherty is a newspaper columnist and he and Billy Phelan are the main characters. The book is terrible. Dull, full of stupid worthless immoral people, vulgar and obscene language. Why did I read it? Well, the third novel won a Pulitzer Prize, so I will read it. But then I'll never read any thing by William Kennedy again. Ugh. ( )

Another excellent installment in Kennedy's Albany series. Albany politics and a kidnapping allow Kennedy to weave his magic with characters and dialogue. ( )