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Looking for an unlikely main character? Pick up the book Billy boy by Thomas J Hubschman. The main character in his book ³Billy Boy² is a small time house burglar, hustler and drug-addicted junkie. He lives with his sick mother and sister in a New York City neighborhood and takes and sometimes even steals money from them when he can. He does not work and did not finish high school. Sounds like a horrible person that the reader should despises and be repulsed by. Instead this reader found that Billy was a likable perhaps sexy deadbeat with a basically good heart. The drugs and his habit lead him easily down the wrong paths. The reader wishes all along that Billy would change his ways and redeem himself. In the beginning of the book Billy shows up at the wake of an old friend who has died as the result of a drug overdose. Not only does Billy show up grungy and high he manages to pick a fight with the dead girls brother and is thrown out. Later Billy argues with his sister about his behavior and leaves the house once more. He accepts a ride with an acquaintance on the hopes of getting free drugs and his whole world takes s a terrible turn. During this ride Billy becomes an unwitting accomplice in a horrible murder and is running for his life. The policeman that is helping investigate this crime is an old schoolmate of Billyıs. Unfortunately Billy has bullied him for years and the cop holds a grudge. Can Billy prove his innocence and remain a free man? Will this be a turning point in his life? The whole feel of this book is one of quite desperation. The city, the drugs and Billyıs attitude are all portrayed with a very gritty feel. Although the book is very dark there are redeeming qualities in both Billy and the other characters throughout.
Reviewed by Susan Johnson, November 2002
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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