El día que Estados Unidos celebra la victoria sobre Japón, Roscoe Conway decide retirarse de la política tras haber regido, de manera particular y poco escrupulosa, el Partido Demócrata de Albany, capital del estado de Nueva York, durante más de medio siglo. Cuando está a punto de hacer pública su dimisión, recibe la noticia del suicidio de su amigo Elisha Fitzgibbon, ex alcalde demócrata de Albany y ex candidato a gobernador del estado. La muerte de Fitzgibbon desata todo tipo de rumores y a Conway no le quedará más remedio que repasar los últimos veinticinco años de su vida para comprender las razones que han llevado a su amigo al suicidio. La pérdida temprana de su verdadero amor, las luchas por el control del partido, sus relaciones con los gánsteres irlandeses, el amaño de distintas elecciones, el control del contrabando de alcohol y del juego, son parte de los recuerdos que van acudiendo a su memoria y que terminan conformando el retrato del poder político y económico en Albany durante la primera mitad del siglo XX.

Good characters in this foray into political intrigue in upstate New York. ( )

Me ha gustado mucho, mucho. Y a medida que iba avanzado, más.
Con un protagonista absolutamente seductor para mí como lectora. ( )

The wonderful character of Roscoe adds to Kennedy's impressive array of heros of the Albany region. It is 1945, the war just ended and Roscue is the fixer of all things political and emotional. It seems the powerfcul democratic party could not survive without Roscoe behind the scenes. "He rigs elections and hands out innumerable bribes, covers up a suicide, whitewashes a murder and double-crosses a blackmailer. He also uncovers a terrible secret and tells it to no one, and then sacrifices himself for love. "(reviewer)
Just makes me want to read the rest of this series.
The men in this novel live in a time where they controled everything -the city, the money, the women they loved. Roscoe things he wants out of politics and he knows he loves his best friend's wife, but you can't always get what you want. Memorable scenes include a cock fighting match, a creative trial strategy and a reconnecting of old loves. Highly recommend to all ( )

Many years ago I happened upon Ironweed by William Kennedy (his Pulitzer Prize winner) but for some reason never finished it. While in Stratford a few weeks ago, I strolled down Ontario Street after finishing my coffee at Balzac's and on a sidewalk table in front of The Book Vault were a number of books priced at $3.99 (Canadian) or less. There actually was a remarkable collection - and I picked up a few by T.C. Boyle, Robertson Davies - and Roscoe by WK.

Upon my return from Stratford, I started Ironweed again - one of the early "Albany series" books. It is a remarkable portrayal of the life of down and out Francis Phelan - and his street friends. It may very well change your view of those living on the street, if nothing else - a wonderful book of redemption (in his own way).

I finished Ironweed in Savannah this week and started Roscoe during my return flight. It provides more on the Albany political scene in the 40's, with great characters that quickly come to life. ( )