Review of The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
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Bertha Jackson
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Re: Review of The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone

Post by Bertha Jackson »

Children in the 1900s were stronger and more advanced than kids today because of the hard work they had to do at a young age. Thank you for your review.
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Post by Meghan Soderholm »

I was shocked to find out that this book is a work of fiction rather than an autobiography. The first few pages captivated my soul and I am waiting in anticipation to read the rest of the book. This book has such a heartwarming story that it needs to be shared. Thank you for writing a insightful and honest review.
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift and that is why we call it the present.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

This is a historical fiction book highlighting professional wrestling from the carnival era, and is inspired by and very lightly based on the history of the Goldust trio. The book is temporarily discounted on Amazon Kindle and has a well-written OnlineBookClub review.
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Post by Moisés Alcántara Ayre »

A historical fiction, written in first person, about professional wrestling sounds like something I don't often come across in my read--I might want to give it a try!
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Post by tarafarah7 »

Today's BOTD is a historical fiction novel that reads like an autobiography. Well-written and researched, the realistic characters and events are brought to life by descriptions of Squirt Malone's early years as he works to leave home and fulfill his dreams to become a professional wrestler. Great job on your review! Thank you!! :-)
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Post by Prabhat Sunil Mathur »

Thank you for your kind words and positive review of "The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone" by Richard W. Kelly. We appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that you enjoyed the immersive storytelling and captivating protagonist. Your recommendation to fiction lovers and fans of first-person narratives is duly noted.
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Post by Margi zuu202 »

Book 📖📚📖📚 of the day BOTD is historical fiction running away from home three years ago then 12 yrs later he is living his dream life questionable a professional wrestler the author was inspired by very light based goldust trio the early years of squirt.. the book was well written and reviewed I will recommend it 💯 to wrestling funs
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Post by One piece »

Immersed in this literary creation, I found myself utterly engrossed, eagerly turning each page, hungry for the next revelation. Great review 👍
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Post by Kajori Sheryl Paul »

An insight into the rise of the wrestling industry seems interesting and informative.

Thank you for the great review.
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Post by Stephanie Vasquez »

Focusing less on the actual storyline of the book and more of the format of writing, I really enjoy how the author incorporated the year of the plot and included an event that was big at the time—wrestling. I feel that building a visual in the readers mind was successfully accomplished, especially by using descriptive context to describe the heat and the carnival itself. Overall, I do believe this book has potential, but personally, it is not my cup of tea.
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Post by Marquesa »

I love historic fiction books. They tell a lot about the talent of the writer. It requres special skill to write a book that will make a reader believe it actually happened. And pursuing a dream in wrestling of all the sports is quite unusual. Very nice review.
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Post by Andrea Murray 4 »

Life's full of challenges and many as confrontational as the sport of wrestling is
But I'm not a fan of the sport for just that reason
Can't figure why I would consent to anyone beating the crap out of me

Thanks to the review I was spared the ordeal associated with reading about the details of the sport and the tenacity of someone determined not to be defeated

Albeit still having to face Life's challenges I would prefer to give myself the fighting chance to decide which ring I entered

Apparently the book was so well written it appeared to come alive as an actual experience
Cudos to commendable wring skills which provoked active participation in the production
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Post by María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda »

Each chapter was valuable and related well to the others. None of them felt unnecessary or out of place. John Malone, the protagonist who would later go by the name 'Squirt', had a great personality. Throughout the first few chapters, I struggled between wanting to punish the lad for his immature behavior and admiring his intrepid bravery. His tenacity and desire to succeed kept me reading because they hooked me. He didn't receive his dreams on a silver platter. He fought hard for every dollar he received and continued to move forward.
There's a fine line between courage and foolhardiness. It must take one special kind of person to devote your life to professional wrestling.
Good review!
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Post by Cristina Corui Mihailescu »

Being written like a fictional autobiography, the book is narrated in the first person singular and I could really hear a deep voice telling the story. However, the theme is of no interest to me, so I will not get past the sample.
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Post by Alida Spies »

In today's world, it is strange to think of a boy of only twelve running away from home, traveling for three days by himself to a big city that he's never seen and there being able to do a transaction to sell his horse. He even found a solution for the distrust he as a white boy encountered in a black neighborhood. He was chasing his dream to become a wrestler and it seems that he would do whatever it took to achieve it.

Thank you for an excellent review.
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