Herein, golf's leading writer of short fiction returns with eighteen stories plus the futuristic novella Golflandia, at last complete.
R. N. A. Smith Knihy
A part-time golf writer gets the royal treatment from a host of fine U.K. clubs in exchange for his implied promise to sing their courses' glories in this memoir that meshes a Finegan-like travelogue with the poignancy of Plimpton's Bogey Man and the vinegar of Doak's Confidential Guide. Traveling solo, this fifty-something Yank has his vigor roundly tested by a quest to play 36 courses. And, along the way -- in a wholly honest account -- the reader gets taken inside the golfer's mind when encountering the alluring yet treacherous terrain at one great links after another, along with engaging the natives who call these courses "Crackers."
A century before Tiger Woods' 2009 breakdown, the best golfer in America was embroiled in an equally corrosive "secret life" However, the truth of this man's hidden shame stayed out of the press for decades after his shocking demise. Proceeding from facts known of the player in question, as well as his clan, this historical novel conjectures several major unreported melodramas that engulfed that family of immigrant Scots - beyond the trials of its central character. Their collective miseries are spellbinding; their triumphs, tragic; and their strains to cleanse the stain of sin, haunting. As for their golfing, be prepared for an amalgam of wondrous and excruciating play.
R.N.A. Smith tees up 18 additional short stories in this fourth golf book to his credit. The fare ranges from his early to latest output, arranged in thematic pairs, thus creating nine chapters of increasingly edgy material, according to the author's viewpoint. You may not agree with his assessment, but you will be intrigued by the return of R.N.A.'s many notable characters in this collection, including golf pundit Professor Norman Birdbaum, course superintendent Christopher Larken, and that luscious lawyeress Leslie Overton Brentel. Darker, more complex works reign here, in comparison with his Classy Divots volume. Still, Smith's trademark of aligning golf's joys in close conjunction to its pricks and stabs is hardly absent within.
Set in the 1950s, the story explores the early days of a gentler form of psychotherapy through the experiences of young Bobby Shout. As he navigates his relationships with a group of prominent Texan golfers, each with their own vulnerabilities, the narrative delves into themes of trust and connection. Bobby's journey raises questions about the lasting impact of friendships and the complexities of human emotions, all against the backdrop of a transformative era in mental health.
Set against the backdrop of a televised mega golf tournament for amateurs, the story unfolds through the eyes of Brice Chevelle, a disgraced director and junior producer. The narrative explores the tension between the glitzy world of reality TV and the moral dilemmas faced by Brice as he navigates romantic entanglements with colleagues and cast members. Complications arise as he grapples with the ruthless ethics imposed by his manipulative boss, leading to a gripping exploration of ambition and betrayal in the entertainment industry.
A part-time golf writer gets the royal treatment from a host of fine U.K. clubs in exchange for his implied promise to sing their courses' glories in this memoir that meshes a Finegan-like travelogue with the poignancy of Plimpton's Bogey Man and the vinegar of Doak's Confidential Guide. Traveling solo, this fifty-something Yank has his vigor roundly tested by a quest to play 36 courses. And, along the way -- in a wholly honest account -- the reader gets taken inside the golfer's mind when encountering the alluring yet treacherous terrain at one great links after another, along with engaging the natives who call these courses "Crackers."
R.N.A. Smith tees up 18 additional short stories in this fourth golf book to his credit. The fare ranges from his early to latest output, arranged in thematic pairs, thus creating nine chapters of increasingly edgy material, according to the author's viewpoint. You may not agree with his assessment, but you will be intrigued by the return of R.N.A.'s many notable characters in this collection, including golf pundit Professor Norman Birdbaum, course superintendent Christopher Larken, and that luscious lawyeress Leslie Overton Brentel. Darker, more complex works reign here, in comparison with his Classy Divots volume. Still, Smith's trademark of aligning golf's joys in close conjunction to its pricks and stabs is hardly absent within.