Beautiful. It's a word that can describe so many things. A beautiful sunset, a beautiful smile, a beautiful piece of art. But sometimes, beauty can be bittersweet. When you see something beautiful, it can make you feel a range of emotions. It might make you happy, or it might make you sad. Maybe it reminds you of a time or a place that you miss. Or maybe it makes you realize that something wonderful is about to end.

By the end, you're grieving too. You're grieving the loss of that beauty, the moment when it was perfect and then it was gone. But even in grief, there is a kind of beauty. The beauty of acceptance, of knowing that everything has its time and place. The beauty of memories, which can last a lifetime. So the next time you see something beautiful, take a moment to appreciate it. And when it's gone, don't be afraid to grieve. Because in that grief, you'll find a new kind of beauty.

Drunk, Billy found himself in a rather strange state. As he swayed slightly, his gaze slowly turned upwards towards the heavens. In that moment, it was as if the world around him ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the vast expanse above. And there it was, heaven, in all its glory. The stars seemed to twinkle brighter than ever, as if they were putting on a special show just for him. The moon, too, shone with a soft and gentle light, casting a silver glow over everything. Billy felt a sense of peace and tranquility wash over him, despite his inebriated state. He stood there, lost in the beauty of the moment, completely unaware of anything else. It was a moment that he would remember for a long time to come.

This was a reread.

Years ago, when this book was new, I read it. For some reason, it didn't have that special connection for me as it did with Alice McDermott's other works.

After reading "Someone" and loving it so much, I should have recalled this much earlier novel of hers.

Honestly, this time around, I really did laugh at a few points. Especially when I noted that the Protestants must know Our Lord a lot better since they call him by His first name all the time.

However, I also remembered the ending about halfway through, which took some of the excitement out of this read. Still, it was VERY enjoyable, and I do disagree that this is a dunning work or a stereotype Irish alcoholic tale. I did not find it that way at all. I found Billy to be just Billy.

But I have to admit, in my head, he was always Dennis Leary in his "Rescue Me" role. I wanted him to have a fireman's cap instead of the work clothing for the shoe store.

You either seem to love Alice McDermott or hate her and call her work "tedious". I love it. And I would take some of her "tedious" writing every day of the week. The characters are good-intent folks, similar to the people I have known for the most part.

The Irish diaspora in modern times can be likened to the faint radio signals from the Big Bang. Something momentous occurred - a long time ago. The majority of people are half or a quarter Irish American. Everyone concurs that green beer is rather silly. And we all trace our roots back to the time of the famine, whenever that might have been. McDermott pens her work for this ever-expanding and diverse population. However, she broadens the scope to include themes such as loneliness, original sin, love, and its inevitable loss.

All are invited in, yet all are punished. It is a brilliant book - perhaps her very best. An additional star is warranted for her creation of some of the most outstanding poetry within the past decade. Her words have the power to touch the hearts and souls of readers, transporting them to a world filled with complex emotions and profound insights. McDermott's work is a testament to the enduring power of literature to connect people across time and space.

This is my second encounter with an Alice McDermott novel, and I'm now officially a die-hard fan. Her works delve into the world of Irish Catholics in Brooklyn and Long Island during the early to mid-twentieth century. Although I'm from Philadelphia, as a (former) Catholic of Irish descent, many of the characters feel astonishingly real to me.

The central narrative revolves around the eponymous Billy Lynch and his summer romance with Eva, an Irish girl who returns home and never comes back to him. He's given one reason, but the truth is something else entirely. Billy never recovers from this loss, and the novel commences with his funeral after a lifetime of heavy drinking.

However, this novel isn't truly about the plot. The central event, the loss of Eva, overshadows what little action there is, and the story weaves back and forth in time to explore the circumstances before, during, and all the sorrowful events that follow her departure. It's teeming with genuine, lived-in characters. While I initially found the use of an unnamed narrator somewhat distracting (it took me out of the story at the start as I tried to figure out who the narrator was and how he/she was related to the characters), the detachment with which the narrator observes and relates the story serves to advance themes of storytelling and what occurs when the mythology of our lives traps us in unhappiness.

My family had the great fortune of having a beach house for the past 30 years. This summer will be our first without a place to stay near the sea. A recurring motif throughout the novel is a small house in East Hampton and what it means to different characters. McDermott has so exquisitely captured so much of what I adored about our seaside home and what it means to have a second place, a retreat. Billy meets Eva on the beach, and who hasn't had an idealized summer romance that never fully blossoms?

This novel is steeped in regret, lies, and a great deal of alcoholism, yet it is truly beautiful.

I truly relished this thought-provoking novel that delved into how family and friends dealt with and tried to make sense of an alcoholic's passing.

In numerous aspects, this is a challenging book to persevere through, as there is very little sense of redemption within its pages.

However, I took great pleasure in the unadulterated honesty and the author's adeptness at exploring profound issues such as life and death, truth and fiction.

The story's ability to present these complex themes in a raw and unfiltered manner made it a captivating read.

It forced me to confront the harsh realities that often accompany such situations and to question my own perceptions of these matters.

Overall, despite its difficulties, this novel left a lasting impression on me and made me appreciate the power of literature to explore the human condition.

I found "Charming Billy" to be just okay.

The story is told through multiple narrators, which makes it a bit challenging at first.

Some narrators are reminiscing about memories with Billy, an alcoholic who has just passed away.

Others are simply observing the group as they come together after Billy's funeral.

The lack of clear identification of each narrator makes it difficult to keep track of the chapters initially.

However, as I continued reading, the narrators became more discernible, and I gradually warmed up to the book.

"Charming Billy" offers a nice examination of family and friend structure across continents, through immigration, and in the context of mental illness.

Since I don't come from a large, Irish Catholic family like the one in the book, I didn't relate to it as well as I might have.

This, I think, is why I feel a certain apathy towards it.

Some parts of the book were beautifully written, and some were very sad.

But all in all, I didn't feel "wowed" by "Charming Billy".

It's an okay read, but not one that will stick with me for a long time.

Stunning prose.

It is a book that demands time to be savored.

It presents Irish reflections on life, love, loss, and ultimately death.

It brings to mind a poem by the Irish poet Yeats, “others because you could not keep that deep sworn vow have been friends of mine.”

This book wounds, much like the loss of the romantic ideal of innocence and the limitations of poetry.

Alert: It is not for everyone and will leave you feeling somewhat melancholy.

The beauty of the prose lies in its ability to touch the deepest emotions within us.

It takes us on a journey through the complex and often painful aspects of human existence.

We experience the joys and sorrows of love, the heartache of loss, and the inevitability of death.

The author's use of language is masterful, painting vivid pictures in our minds and evoking a range of emotions.

However, this book is not for the faint of heart.

It can be a challenging read, as it forces us to confront our own mortality and the imperfections of life.

But for those who are willing to take the journey, it offers a profound and unforgettable experience.

The plot is entirely contained within the first chapter. It's important to be aware of that fact.

This book possesses a certain magic that lies in its beautiful writing. The descriptions are so vivid and engaging that they draw you into the story from the very beginning.

Moreover, the depth in the relationships between the characters is truly remarkable. They are portrayed in such a real and human way that you will have the distinct feeling of already knowing them from somewhere.

As you read, you can't help but become invested in their lives, their joys, and their sorrows. The author has a unique ability to make the characters come alive on the page, making it easy for you to form an emotional connection with them.

This combination of beautiful writing and realistic character relationships is what makes this book a truly captivating read.

I often come across some of the most beautifully written prose in the bargain bin.

There is a certain amount of guilt that lingers within me for not paying the full price to enjoy the works of an author who has such a remarkable ability to string words together with such finesse.

The imagery she creates is always presented in a truly unique and inspiring manner.

However, it must be said that it's not quite as exciting a read as the best-sellers.

Given its relatively short length, I really should have been able to finish it within just a few days.

But perhaps that's part of its charm, that it doesn't demand an immediate and intense consumption.

It allows the reader to savor each word and phrase, to truly appreciate the artistry that has gone into its creation.

Despite not being a page-turner in the traditional sense, it still manages to leave a lasting impression.

To read an Alice McDermott novel is to embark on a literary journey that immerses you in a world of pure delight.

Her characters are drawn with such meticulous detail that they seem to step off the page and into your life. The imagery she uses is exquisite, painting vivid pictures in your mind's eye. And her profound empathy with the Irish-American community adds an extra layer of authenticity and depth to the story.

It's no wonder that her book won the National Book Award.

Set in the boroughs of New York City and on Long Island from the late 40s through the early 90s, "Charming Billy" follows the lives of a neighborhood of Irish-Americans.

We witness their loves and disappointments, their weddings and funerals. The story begins with the wake following Billy Lynch's funeral and then travels back and forth in time, through various points of view.

We learn how, because of one seemingly harmless lie, an affable man who should have had a bright future becomes a hopeless drunk.

The novel is full of intricate homely details, touching characters, and the omnipresent Catholic church. It weaves the story of an entire generation in a close-knit neighborhood where personal truths often remain hidden.

As always, McDermott's prose is a thing of beauty. The way she can pack so much nuance into a seemingly simple sentence makes for a slow but deeply satisfying read.

Well-meaning lies, secrets, betrayal, and the power of love and faith in one's family and friends all come together to create a colorful tapestry and a truly excellent story.

For the first time in a while, this book wasn't for one of my book clubs.

It's truly a pity because as soon as I completed it, I had an intense desire to engage in a discussion about it with someone.

Alice McDermott gave a reading at the library where I am employed approximately a month ago. She presented a short story that is soon to be published. I truly adored it and since I'm not typically a fan of short stories, I determined that it was high time I explored some of her novels.

I commenced with "Charming Billy" as it is perhaps her most renowned work. The story commences at Billy's funeral and then alternates back and forth through time, recounting Billy's life from the moment he returned from WWII until his demise due to alcoholism.

Part of the story is related by the individuals attending the funeral who reminisce about Billy, and others are narrated by the daughter of Billy's cousin Dennis. The segments narrated by the daughter sometimes threw me off because it wasn't always evident that she was the narrator, and then it became challenging to figure out to whom some of the pronouns were referring.

Although that was a bit cumbersome at times, it didn't significantly detract from the narrative for me. After hearing McDermott read some of her work in person, I could truly detect her voice within this book. I discovered it to be exquisitely written and extremely lyrical.

Moreover, some of the descriptions of ordinary things enhanced it for me, rather than appearing superfluous as such things can be in the hands of a less accomplished writer. Ultimately, I regarded the book as posing the question of whether we are fated to be what we become or if things might have been different had the circumstances been altered. That was precisely what I yearned to discuss once I finished the book. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who has a penchant for character-based literary fiction.