Pretty Boy

by Bill Brooks

"As I lay dying, I see Daddy Walter sitting on the porch reading a Bible sold to him by a man wearing spats." Thus begins the novel of Charles Arthur Floyd, best known to depression-era America as Pretty Boy Floyd. "I was the dreamer, the seeker of all things beyond my reach, the dandy, the dancer, the lover of countless woman, the bank robber, the husband, the father, the son, the brother. I was the most wanted man in America." Rising out of the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765304732
• ISBN13: 9780765304735
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 316 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Pretty Boy

I absolutely could not put this book down. I thought that the way Bill Brooks chose to tell the story of Charley Floyd through Floyd's own voice, and the voices of the people in his life, was brilliant. The creative license that he took worked well enough for me to forget that he couldn't possibly be privy to such information, and that takes such talent and creativity. Something about his style and lyrical sense reminded me of Cormick McCarthy's "All the Pretty Horses", which is one of my favorites as well. I highly recommend this book and dare anyone to be able to put it down easily once he/ she picks it up.

Bill Brooks Does It Again!

I was blown away by Brooks' classic, THE STONE GARDEN and frankly thought, how on earth can he ever do it again? But he has. Marrying historical fiction with Brooks' inimitable lyrical prose, PRETTY BOY takes us into the life - and more importantly the heart - of one Charles Arthur Floyd. As I began reading this book I found myself thinking, "Why do I care about a bank robber?" But in Brooks' skillful hands I not only found myself caring, but totally and willingly immersed in the life of the notorious criminal. Pretty Boy's character explodes not only through his own words ("I think about the duck that flew away and who is alone this night, like me, and wonder if ducks have hearts that ache") but through those of his partners, wife, family and mistress, among others. The end result is a novel of the best kind - haunting and with resonance. One that days later you will find yourself thinking about again. And yet again.