The Hustler cover art

The Hustler

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The Hustler

By: Walter Tevis
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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About this listen

To Fast Eddie Felsen, a young pool hustler, there was only one thing that mattered: to make the big time and the big money in the world of pool by beating the best in the country.

Hustling suckers in small towns for good stake money was practice for his goal, and when he felt ready he went to Bennington's pool hall in Chicago to find Minnesota Fats. Eddie and Fats pit nerve against skill in a fantastic match over an unbroken 36 hours. Eddie's final painful loss teaches him that nerve alone isn't enough - guts, stamina, and character make the difference between winners and losers.

It takes an interlude with Sarah, an alcoholic and a born loser, to bring the lesson home, and the shrewd advice and backing of Bert, a professional gambler, to put it into practice. Bert knows talent without character is nothing and stakes Eddie to a climactic all-or-nothing rematch. When it is over, Eddie knows a great deal more about big-time pool, about money, and about himself. In beating Fats he became the best in the country.

©2014 Walter Tevis (P)2016 Tantor Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Money

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All stars
Most relevant
A classic book very well read ! I really enjoyed the story once again and the voice really suited the setting.

A Classic

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this was an excellent listen. it was well read and it is a brilliamt story.

brilliant story really enjoyed it.

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This was a very good book, much better than expected. For those of us of a certain age, Paul Newman will be forever Fast Eddie Felson, but Joe Barrett's narration here was outstanding, capturing the atmosphere of the time and place perfectly. A very enjoyable listen.

Very good indeed

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No pulled punches in a story reflecting the underbelly of working-class America; revealing realities of lifestyle, hardship and personality.
There is detailed character definition and Tevis must have been an astute observer, likely drawing from his own sometimes chaotic and ruthless experience.

Great storytelling… read to perfection

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This is one of my favourite films, but the book was something else.
The writing was quite elegant, and very much enjoyed the narration.

Worth a listen.

Great book!

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