Charming Billy by Alice McDermott is the story of Billy Lynch and the family and friends that surround him. The novel begins at a small bar in the Bronx after Billy's funeral where his family has gathered. Stories are told about Billy, of his first love and his wife, and of his struggles with alcoholism. A debate begins regarding the cause of Billy's alcoholism. Some believe it is a disease and no matter what happened in his life Billy would still have become an alcoholic. Others believe it was the loss of his first love, an Irish girl named Eva, which drove Billy to drink himself to death. However, his cousin Dennis knows better.
Dennis told Billy his love had died to spare him the truth. Eva decided to marry her childhood sweetheart and took the money.....
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