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The Hustler
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Classics
Publisher's Summary
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.
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What listeners say about The Hustler
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Darryl
- 2016-07-01
Love Tevis in general
Though this "format" of brash youngster going against the King/establishment has become a bit cliche in structure (see all Tom Cruise movies where he plays same character repeatedly) I still enjoyed this early Tevis. It is a classic and though it is rather linear and stripped down it works. There are a few surprises still. Tevis knew what he was doing and gets better in next novels. There are hints of more mythic elements in this with the lame girl and limping janitor hinting at some wasteland motif, but he doesn't dwell on or develop this until his more poetically and symbolically written Man Who Fell to Earth and Mockingbird. And the film of this, classic as it is and well done, changes some things, one of which I can understand whether i liked it or not, and the other which I think detracts from one of his main themes at the end. You don't need to know pool to enjoy it and I was unfamiliar with a few items, but it is still well written and drew me to research a couple things. There are a few great videos on youtube with Willie Mosconi who I believe was a consultant on the film, and Minnesota Fats who was not real, but claim-jumped and moniker taken by New York Fats I believe. In either case good novel.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Simon
- 2017-10-31
it was a good book. I liked the story and the deta
It was a good book. I liked the story and the detail that they put in
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Timothy Majors
- 2016-12-20
better than the movie
never will you find a more direct route into the soul of a pool player than by listening to the hustler.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Charles Garcia
- 2020-03-11
Good as the movie!
I have watched the movie many times and when I saw this on audible couldn't wait to listen. I enjoyed it as much as I did the movie. Will now listen to "The Color of Money" Cant wait.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael Todd Clevenger
- 2018-11-12
A step back in time. A great story.
I really liked this book. It was far better than the film as most books are. A simpler time, when people aren't glued to their mobile electronic phones.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mckenzie
- 2017-07-31
Pool life
It was a good easy listen, not to much fat in the story! Some great points!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 2020-12-04
Now the movie
I have never watched the movie with Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason but I'm very interested now after listening to the book. The performance of the narrator was excellent, thought his voice was a great choice for the era, gruff and raspy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeff Weddle
- 2020-11-30
A masterful reading of an American classic
Walter Tevis’ masterpiece is given its due in this riveting reading. Fast Eddie Felson is a quintessential American character, a little bit dumb, a little bit brilliant, and always on the make, searching almost unaware for a heaven that’s only a few long shots away from being real.