September 2011

E-bookmuncher’s e-book of the month for September 2011 is ‘The Bookie’s Runner’ by Brendan Gisby, published by Night Publishing.

'The Bookie's Runner' by Brendan Gisby

‘The Bookie’s Runner’ is the gorgeously, hypnotically told tale of Brendan Gisby’s father, Derry, and his dream of the big win on the horses, the one that would relieve his adored family of poverty and redeem him in the eyes of his angry and disappointed wife.
For decades he worked on his system. It had to be foolproof. He could only afford to run it once. He meticulously studied the form for every race ever recorded – the horses, their characteristics, their lineage, their combinations, the race track, the conditions, the outcome – and made his predictions for the next race.
Then, just as he entered hospital for what would prove to be his final illness, he was ready. His system worked; it really couldn’t fail, he was sure of that. His family would be set up for life, he would be a hero, he would fulfil the dreams of every one of his betting friends – to beat the bookies once and for all at their own game, again and again.
From his hospital bed he carefully placed his bets…. (description taken from amazon.com).

About the Author

Brendan Gisby - Scottish Author

Brendan Gisby was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, halfway through the 20th century, and was brought up just along the road in South Queensferry (the Ferry) in the shadow of the world-famous Forth Bridge. Retiring from a business career in 2007, he has devoted himself to writing. Brendan has published two novels, ‘The Island of Whispers’ and ‘The Olive Branch’; a collection of short stories about growing up in the Ferry during the 1950′s and 1960′s, ‘Ferry Tales’; and a biography of his late father, ‘The Bookie’s Runner’. Brendan presently lives on the fringes of an ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh. (description taken from amazon.com).

E-bookmuncher’s views on ‘The Bookie’s Runner’.

E-bookmuncher rates this book ****

The Bookie’s Runner is a touching novella,  a short memoir of one man describing his father’s life and how it influenced and shaped him. It is extremely well written and brimming with intimacy - intensely human throughout.  The perspective from which the book is written is sublime – I would challenge anyone not to feel the emotion or empathise with a schoolboy coming to terms with the loss of his father. This book works and sticks in the mind precisely because it isn’t about anyone well known outside the author’s own circles – rather, it is a poignant reminder that real richness in life comes from observing and sharing the experiences and emotions of ‘ordinary’ people, not the banal antics of publicity-seeking muppets on reality television shows.

E-bookmuncher believes that anyone reading ‘The Bookie’s Runner’  will find the time and paltry sum asked to purchase it thoroughly worthwhile and, ultimately, enriching. One for everybody’s Kindle or Ipad.