Rating: 
Summary: Hard to stay focused
Review: This book did an excellent job of capturing the Irish experience in the U.S. during the 20th century. I appreciate the eloquent way the author framed an otherwise dull story against an exemplary backdrop. However, accuracy isn't everything, and the plot just never took off. The problem was not so much the story, but the writing was cyclical and tangential. At times, the reader can't tell who the narrator is. My friends of an Irish-Catholic background loved it. I can only appreciate McDermott's ability to paint the picture. I just wish that picture had managed to capture me.
Rating: 
Summary: Time waster
Review: I just finished the book during the ice storm in Atlanta. I can,t believe it won an award and will question the honesty when I see the National Award label on a book again. Very depressing, I have an empty feeling after reading it and also found myself having to constantly go back to research who in the world she was talking about, even at about the last chapter. Some parts were OK for about 30 minutes and then she would go off into something that made no sense. I would not read any more of her work. 42
Rating:
Summary: Do not waste your time. . .
Review: This book is over-rated. It was awful, not worth the pain and effort it takes to wind through the confusing and dragging plot. There are tons of better books in the world....
Rating:
Summary: A Good Idea That Desperately Needed To Be Workshopped
Review: "Charming Billy" isn't the worst book I read all year, it's just the worst award-winning one. And that alone is worth an extra star. The writing is fine in places but, as many others have already said, is so hard to follow as to render it meaningless. Also, I had a major problem with how the narrator (Dennis' daughter) came upon some of the information she was now telling us. I won't give away the plot or any surprises but when reading it, ask yourself how she possibly could have known about certain events in the past? Unless I'm missing something, it was physically impossible for her to know some of what went on while Billy was away. It's hard to believe that such a fundamental mistake could have passed by an editor. Or, maybe it's not. And that's too bad.
Rating: 
Summary: This book may be misunderstood
Review: I finished the book today and I thought it was much better than the reviews. Some of the insight hit so close to home I don't even have the words yet to describe it.I thought it was easy to read, but I appreciate old movies too where they leave a little to the imagination. Charming Billy is a tragic figure for sure. I understood the authors point but actually thought she romanticized the alcohol part, but did so in a way that was true to our Irish culture, which on the one hand has always made me uncomfortable. It may be a dreary story but it rang true for me. I can imagine all the characters sitting around at a wake all speaking at once, each one making the same point. It is so Irish. I would give the book 4 stars but the story is a hard one unless you have lived it I guess.
Rating:
Summary: Hated it!
Review: I am so glad to read other reviews. I was really looking forward to reading a book regarding Irish heritage. What a disappointment! I was so pleased to see that others felt the author jumped around too much. So much in fact, that I had to reread over several sentences to find out whom she was talking about. The premise of the book could have been "charming", however, I felt the repetition to be a filler for a lackluster story. I also forced myself to finish it and thank God I'm done so I can move onto something more upbeat.
Rating:
Summary: YAWN PROVOKING
Review: For a National Book Award winner, this was a major disappointment. I had to force myself to finish it. I always try to finish books that I spend money on, but I can honestly say that if I DID put it down for good I would not feel the least bit guilty. From the first word of the first page, this was very hard to follow. The prose was weak and you can't figure out who is telling the story until a little bit later in the book. I must say, the reviews are much better than the actual book. I cannot believe that this won an award. DON'T BOTHER, and if you do, check it out from your library. This is not a book for your collection.
Rating:
Summary: And this kind of dreck wins book awards?
Review: What a yawner! I'm calling it quits halfway through this boooooring book. It jumps around way too much and repeats itself and I don't care one little bit about the people in it. I'm going to leave it in the lunch room at work for some other poor fool to take.
Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: I was anxious to read this book based on reviews (I usually reserve judgement) and the National Book Award. What a mistake! I had a hard time following the book with all the jumping around. I loaned it to a family member who also felt the book was greatly overrated. The prose was ok, but I've read many more books with better prose. I had a hard time understanding why the book was repetitive and jumped so much. Don't bother buying this. Borrow it from the library or a friend!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: Although on the surface a book about unpleasant subjects (death, alcoholism, lost loves, and the impact of war), Charming Billy is really about friendships, love, and caring. It touches on the subjects of the Irish and Catholicism in a non offensive way. Although the author's style of inserting quotes in the middle of sentences without proper punctuation was a bit difficult at times, this aggravation was far outweighed with writing which at times is nothing short of brilliant. Pick this book up and you'll not be able to put it down until you are finished.
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