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Belly: A Novel
Four years after serving time for his illegal gambling activities, Belly O'Leary finds his hometown and relationships with his daughters irrevocably changed and lapses back into dysfunctional behavior before struggling to come to terms with a tragic accident from years earlier. A first novel.
- GenresFictionContemporary
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2005
About the author
Lisa Selin Davis
5 books96 followersI'm thrilled/incredibly nervous about my debut non-fiction book, TOMBOY: The Surprising History and Future of Girls Who Dare to Be Different, out 5/5/20 with Hachette. I've also written a YA novel called LOST STARS and a grown-up novel called BELLY, way back when. I'm written essays and articles for The New York Times, Time, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. Before that I worked in film and TV, doing props and other art department jobs, including a four-year stint making props for Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues. I live in Brooklyn (but, hey, I moved here before it was cool) with my family. I love doing book clubs, so please reach out if you'd like me to visit virtually or IRL.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 28, 2008
First off, this is a great book for anyone familiar with the Saratoga Springs area--the author really brings it to life and you'll find yourself smiling at all the local references. This was an interesting novel about a man, fresh out of prison, trying to acclimate to his new life and the demons he left behind. I enjoyed watching the story unfold--I like how everything wasn't laid out clearly until about 3/4 of the way through the book. It was a quick read and I thought the ending was a little abrupt, but overall I enjoyed it.
August 12, 2007
Gotta put a plug in for my sister's book. I know I'm biased, but she's a good writer. Both funny, and with unashamedly genuine characters. Especially good book for those familiar with Saratoga Springs, NY.
January 28, 2017
Belly is not a likeble character- which I think is why I liked him so much. He is so real and completely raw which is what humanized him. I thought the writing was exceptional and the imagery made me 'see' Saratoga - at least through Belly's lens.
April 26, 2021
I will read material from this author again. I loved the main character BELLY, even though not such a great guy. Too shifty, too boozy but you can tell there is good in there somewhere. The story details his few weeks following prison release and adjustment being back in the neighborhood.
December 9, 2018
Drunk middle age dad returns home from 4 years in jail for gaming and dreams with his 3 daughters.
August 28, 2010
Belly is an mean bastard just released from prison for illegal gambling. During his first week of freedom, he gets drunk instead of looking for work, flirts with his female probation officer, picks up a girl half his age, argues with everyone for the hell of it, steals cigarettes and money from his pregnant daughter who's gracious enough to give him a room in the attic at her house, wrecks her truck, wanders the town in a stupor, gets into a fist fight on his first day at a new job, and brings his cheap date to the house and screws her so everyone can hear them.
Magically, Davis gets you to empathize with this lost soul when you read about his self-loathing at the cruel hand of his father, his confusion and despair, the accidental death of one of his daughters, and how he lost his wife, his business and lover by getting too greedy. With no self awareness or understanding, he has no tools to handle his emotions, yet he wants to be good. He makes deals with himself, "Tomorrow, he promised himself, he would not drink, he would not be cruel..." and bargains with God, "Please, God, if you keep the cops away, I'll be a good boy." He is one of the most memorable characters I've ever cheered for in an amazing novel that takes place in one extraordinary week where you'll find yourself asking, "Oh, God, what next?"
Magically, Davis gets you to empathize with this lost soul when you read about his self-loathing at the cruel hand of his father, his confusion and despair, the accidental death of one of his daughters, and how he lost his wife, his business and lover by getting too greedy. With no self awareness or understanding, he has no tools to handle his emotions, yet he wants to be good. He makes deals with himself, "Tomorrow, he promised himself, he would not drink, he would not be cruel..." and bargains with God, "Please, God, if you keep the cops away, I'll be a good boy." He is one of the most memorable characters I've ever cheered for in an amazing novel that takes place in one extraordinary week where you'll find yourself asking, "Oh, God, what next?"
July 23, 2007
This woman can write!
William "Belly" O'Leary, erstwhile drunk and druggie, has just left prison after serving four years on an illegal gambling charge. He's gotten two years off for good behavior and awaits contact from the New York Racing Association, who'd sent word to keep his mouth shut; his oldest daughter, Nora; and his "midwestern princess," Loretta. A bus returns him to Saratoga Springs, a place he envisions as a classic woman in a Greek chiton, revered most of the year but in August--racing season--turning into a brassy dame with dyed hair and too much makeup. The town has changed--now track season runs from July to Labor Day, and designer coffee shops and Wal-Mart have displaced Belly's old haunts, leaving him pushing 60, trying to pass for 45, and stranded in a new world of childproof lighters and a daughter studying "Book Arts." Comically poignant and well paced, Davis' look at "family values" under stress seems good movie material.
William "Belly" O'Leary, erstwhile drunk and druggie, has just left prison after serving four years on an illegal gambling charge. He's gotten two years off for good behavior and awaits contact from the New York Racing Association, who'd sent word to keep his mouth shut; his oldest daughter, Nora; and his "midwestern princess," Loretta. A bus returns him to Saratoga Springs, a place he envisions as a classic woman in a Greek chiton, revered most of the year but in August--racing season--turning into a brassy dame with dyed hair and too much makeup. The town has changed--now track season runs from July to Labor Day, and designer coffee shops and Wal-Mart have displaced Belly's old haunts, leaving him pushing 60, trying to pass for 45, and stranded in a new world of childproof lighters and a daughter studying "Book Arts." Comically poignant and well paced, Davis' look at "family values" under stress seems good movie material.
September 10, 2013
Tore through it very quickly.Well written,well paced.Basically a week in the life of a guy gets out of prison with great expectations and the idea that he's still a young guy,only to be disappointed.He eventually comes to the realization that one just has to accept things the way they are.
Want to read
April 8, 2008another one of my dollar store finds--i believe i need to stay away from the dollar store
January 2, 2013
This woman can write. Thought "Belly" might be too two dimensional though. Maybe it was just the alcohol fueled narrative. Love to read more, though.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews