Rating: 4.55

For those who have seen the Paul Newman, Tom Cruz film, it has absolutely NOTHING in common with the book.

Character driven, this is the story of Fast Eddie Felson who gained notoriety in the previous story titled "The Hustler". For those familiar it takes place in the 1950's and pits Eddie, an arrogant young pool hustler against and older, wiser icon, Minnesota Fats. Eddie learns that humility is more valuable than talent.

Now we're 30 years later, and we learn Eddie's marriage fell apart along with the pool hall he was running. Soon after a small network offers him an opportunity for a broadcast pool tour if he can convince Fats, who's actual name is George Hegerman. Eddie visits in him FL and negotiates and as always, Fats gets the better of him. They play a number of games but Fats grows bored. In need of money, Eddie reverts to what he knows best, but he's not what he used to be.

He meets Arabella, a lovely Brit widower who'd been through two disastrous marriages. A writer and art appreciator she opens up worlds Eddie never knew and they soon become lovers. Her recently deceased ex was a college professor. Eddie accompanies her to a university function and is introduced to an administrator who eventually offers Eddie an opportunity.

I'm not a fan of spoilers nor detailing plot points, character changes or outcomes. Unlike the film, the Tom Cruz character is absent; the only element from the film is competitive pool tournaments of which most are focused on nine ball. The story educates us about the game, stakes and mindsets and driven by themes of maturing, coping and redemption. This being the fourth book by this author, I found it to be more engaging and paced to perfection. Whether you're familiar with The Hustler or not, the twists and turns of the plot and how a pool player makes the best of things make it well worth the time. ( )

I was curious to read this book after reading "The Hustler". I wanted to know what happened to Fast Eddie after he walked out of that pool hall. I was a bit disappointed. It was nice to see Minnesota Fats again and it was interesting watching Eddie get back into pool after all those years. I felt that book didn't have enough of a plot to keep my interest, though, as it was rather low key. That certain something that The Hustler had was missing from this book - maybe the rawness, the desperation, maybe just the time in which it was written. Being inside Eddie's head in The Hustler was quite a trip; being inside Eddy's head in The Color of Money was different - he's sad, he's older, he's a bit more jaded. That's a big difference in the books.

I watched the movie which has very little in common with the book. No Tom Cruise character in the book. I understand why the movie version had to "shake it up a bit". Loved Paul Newman though, can't fault him in that role. ( )

"Fast" Eddie Felson was a pool shark twenty years ago. He dominated the underground pool circuit as a hustler for big bucks. Now he is playing exhibition competitions against his former rival Minnesota Fats in shopping malls for cheap prizes. His future looks bleak as he sips his Manhattans. Thanks to a failed marriage Eddie has lost his pool hall business and he has no other real world skills to make a living. He has never had a 9 to 5 job that he liked. All he can do is what he has known since high school, shooting pool, playing the shark. He needs to reenter the world of competitive pool for money. But, how? He is an old man playing a young man's game. The rules have changed along with the style of play. He has a lot to learn and Minnesota Fats can only take him so far. ( )