This book is more about Whitehead than it is about poker, and for someone who has read The Underground Railroad, it is nice to get to know the author a little better by hearing him read his own story of being staked as an entrant to the World Series of Poker. Whitehead is an engaging narrator, and the story is interesting, as we meet various characters who help him in his quest to cram as much poker knowledge into his head in the short period before he must head to Vegas. These are some interesting personalities, and they are portrayed with some insight and sensitivity in between Whitehead's self-deprecating humor. The book is by no means hilarious, but it is engaging and not overlong. If you're looking for a poker book, this isn't it. But if you want a little insight into how an amateur feels taking part in an event of this stature, it has good insights. There are also interesting observations about Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Whitehead's attitude may be a bit annoying if you're a true poker fan, but he definitely respects those who are successful at what is a demanding and stressful occupation. ( )

nonfiction/amateur poker player at WSOP. ( )

Noble Hustle
Author: Colson Whitehead
Publisher: Doubleday
Publishing Date: 2014
Pgs: 234
Dewey: 795.412 WHI
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
_________________________________________________
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
The author self describes this book as “Eat, Pray, Love” for depressed shut-ins. A participatory journalism piece that grew into a treatiste on life. A magazine sponsored him into the World Series of Poker. So, he took his weekly small game skills and practiced, got some coaching, and took his shot at the big time. Brilliant, hillarious, profound, moving, overblown, and ridiculous...and clever, incredibly clever.

All praise the Republic of Anhedonia in all of her meh and pfft glory.
_________________________________________________
Genre:
Poker
Biographies
Humor
Essays
Philosophy
Life
Gambling
Strategy

Why this book:
Poker.
_________________________________________________
Favorite Scene / Quote/Concept:
Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure. Wow. Taht’s those people we’ve all met who are dead inside. Of course, sometimes, that’s all of us. Me...sometimes that’s me.

Win or die, the growing blinds are sweeping around the table like a tidal wave that grows on each turn.

Republic of Anhedonia...once you go bleak, you never go back.

Hmm Moments:
Poker face dynamics...and genetics. Plus odds, M-theory, and four-betting, gotta protect your blind when you’re already in the pot.

His depiction of stereotypes he’s played poker with...damn...I’ve played cards and/or rolled dice with most of those people. Wow! “Iggy Pop take a look at these guys and says, “Wow, he’s really let himself go.””

The Sigh:
No Fold ‘Em, Hold ‘Em...never heard the term, but I’ve played those games.

Wisdom:
I’m a fool. I read this whole book thinking it was about poker. It’s about life. It’s about the daily grind. It’s about being a little depressed...a little out of touch. It’s about hope buried in the mythical land of Anhedonia. And it’s about buried treasure. Life is a game of cards, are you All-In? I haven’t been All-In in a long damned time. I don’t know what’s on the other side of Anhedonia, but I’ve been living there for nigh on 20 years. Heimdall just yelled “Wake up!” at me in an Anhedonian accent.

Juxtaposition:

The Unexpected:
And then, he hits the reader with the 2 paragraph denouement. The “you know what, forget it.” No, I don’t think I will.

Missed Opportunity:
Letting the story be the story without robbing it of it’s thunder. This is a repeating motiff in Whitehead’s writing.
_________________________________________________

Author Assessment:
The writing is clever. How clever? Clever enough that this is my 3rd Colson Whitehead book in a row. First one the story didn’t catch me. Second, the ending threw what was a solid 4 stars into 2 ½ star range. And here we are, third time's the charm.
_________________________________________________ ( )

The writing is delicious even if the entire enterprise never really achieves any kind of urgency or rises beyond its roots as an extended magazine article. Also, Colson Whitehead is a furious namedropper! Who knew? We get poker coach and author [a:Helen Ellis|183538|Helen Ellis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1309262438p2/183538.jpg], college buddy Darren Aronofsky and other assorted slebs casually dropped into the narrative. But it's all good. There's plenty of room for them because it's a bit thin anyway. Probably not the book I should have chosen after the triumph of The Underground Railroad. ( )

Full disclosure: I only read this book because I wanted to read something by Whitehead, who's been on my wishlist forever. Neither Zone One nor Underground Railroad were available at the library, so I snagged this one, which is a memoirish account of his experience playing in the World Series of Poker a few years ago. It was my first Whitehead, but it won't be my last. I learned that he is a marvelous writer, dexterous with language in ways that are both witty and thoughtful. The book and subject are rather slight and not really my bag, since I have never played a hand of poker in my life, but I still enjoyed his tale and look forward to reading another of his books with a little more meat on its bones. ( )