My wife recommended this book to me because it was an excellent story and was about golf. Since she is not a golfer or a fan of the sport, I was intrigued since she said she really enjoyed the book. After reading it, I can see why. Although there is plenty of golf writing, the story is just so good that it comes recommended to anyone who enjoys stories like "A Christmas Carol", "Field of Dreams" or "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." Here is my review of "A Golfer's Carol."
Title/Author:
“The Golfer’s Carol” by Robert Bailey
Tags:
Golf, fiction
Publish date:
November 3, 2020
Length:
240 pages
Rating:
5 of 5 stars (outstanding)
Review:
When circumstances make someone believe there is just no way to solve all their problems in any way aside from ending their life, there can be a miracle that will make that thought go away. That miracle occurred for a lawyer named Randy Clark in this excellent novel by Robert Bailey.
Randy, who was once an aspiring golfer, gave up that dream for a more stable family life with his wife Mary Alice, daughter Davis and son Graham. When young Graham lost his battle with cancer and the medical bills began piling up while his marriage was crumbling, Randy felt that the only way to make sure the future of his family was secure was to take his own life. Also having just lost his former golfing buddy Darby, Randy is in an emotional freefall. However, Darby’s ghost appears before Randy can complete his suicide and what follows is a wonderful, heart-tugging story of lessons that should be heard by all, not just golfers.
The ghosts of golf legends Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer, with whom Randy shares words and golf shots, give the book a nice cross between “A Christmas Carol” and “Field of Dreams.” The last round Randy plays with a ghost is one I won’t give away but there are more “Field of Dreams” connections with that round as well.
Speaking of playing golf, the details for the game are wonderfully researched and written throughout the story. Between the descriptions of the tee shots with a fade or a draw or the wonderful descriptions of courses like Augusta National or Shoals Creek, golf enthusiasts will enjoy reading about the game and three of the sport’s most legendary names. Because the novel is set in 1986, there is also prominent mention of Jack Nicklaus and his legendary comeback victory in that year’s Masters tourney.
The types of lessons learned by Randy during these rounds and the manner in which he learns them is also reminiscent of another best-selling author, Mitch Albom. The characters, whether spiritual like the legendary golfers and Darby, or real life like Randy, Mary Alice and Davis, are well-developed and the reader will take a liking to all of them. If there is a downfall to the story, it is that the relationship between Mary Alice and Randy isn’t fully explained. The death of a child can test the strength of a relationship and it is implied that happened with Graham’s death, but the reader will have to draw his or her own conclusions as to why it became as such.
While the writing about golf is filled with great detail and will make this story one that golfers will thoroughly enjoy, one does not have to be a golfer or a fan to love this story of what can happen when one works to get through trying times.
Book Format Read:
E-book (library reading app)
Buying Links:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-golfers-carol-robert-bailey/1136586836?ean=9780593190500
I do not read much but my mom got this book for me and I really enjoyed it.
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