Marathon Public Reading: Billy Phelan’s Greatest Game

Join us for a total immersion in William Kennedy’s beloved 1978 novel, Billy Phelan’s Greatest Game, an odyssey through the speakeasies and pool halls of Albany’s grimy and glittering underworld.

Poker player, pool hustler, small-time bookie, and son of Ironweed’s Frances Phelan, Billy drifts through the lurid nighttime cityscape and finds himself in the dangerous position of participating in the kidnapping of John O’Connell Jr., the nephew of all-powerful Albany political boss Daniel P. O’Connell. The book will be read in its entirety by volunteer readers – sign up to reserve your spot at bit.ly/Phelan24

Albany Distilling Company, maker of Ironweed whiskey, is located in the North Albany neighborhood where William Kennedy grew up, and where some of the fictional scenes in the Depression-era narrative take place.

Donations will be collected at the door to benefit the food pantry and free meal outreach at Sacred Heart Church, 33 Walter St. in Albany, which was Kennedy’s childhood parish.