Linda Sienkiewicz's Reviews > Belly: A Novel

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?"