I am glad to be finding more sports-themed fiction stories that are high quality reads. This novel on Red Grange certainly qualifies as one of them.
Title/Author:
“The Golden Age of Red: A Novel of Red Grange, The Galloping Ghost” by Doug Villhard
Rating:
5 of 5 stars (excellent)
Review:
In the 1920’s, college football was much more popular than the professional game and one of the most prolific stars of that time was Harold “Red” Grange, also nicknamed “The Galloping Ghost.” This novel about Grange by Doug Villhard, based on actual events and people, is a story that is exciting, heartwarming, maddening and most of all, realistic. All at the same time, no less.
What makes the novel so realistic is that every character and nearly every event that takes place are based on real events and people. Not only Grange himself and his family members, but EVERYONE in the novel. That is made clear at the end when Villhard provides a listing of the characters and the highlights of their real lives. While I enjoyed the story a lot while reading it, seeing this at the end made me appreciate Villard's work even more.
This is especially true as he kept the story close to Grange’s actual life. From the famous game against Michigan in which he scored four touchdowns in 12 minutes to turning pro immediately after his final college game to the barnstorming games and injuries, Grange’s football career is covered well in the story.
His personal life and desires are also explained expertly in the novel and it is this part of the story that I believe makes this great novel. Grange’s desire to leave all the fame and attention behind a live something of a more “normal” life after college is a recurring theme through the story and while that never seems to come to fruition, how Grange addresses his fame and talent makes for great reading. As does his blossoming desire for Helen and his realization that football is his best talent.
Finally, as is explained in the synopsis of the book, there are events in this story that have far-reaching effects on football today, such as compensation for players in addition to tuition, room and board. One doesn’t have to be a football fan to enjoy this novel about the Galloping Ghost.
I wish to thank the publisher for providing a review copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
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