Review of The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone

[Fanny Lebura Ueh]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone" by Richard W. Kelly.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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As a farm boy, the life of John 'Squirt' Malone seemed destined to be one of toil, long hours, and little compensation. However, John is first exposed to the sideshow of professional wrestling when a carnival comes to town. His dreams of becoming a professional wrestler are inspired by the physicality and entertainment of the show. Three years later, John leaves his family, at the age of twelve, to pursue his ambition of being a professional wrestler in the dubious world of professional wrestling.

The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone is a historical fiction book that depicts professional wrestling from the carnival era to the establishment of the first wrestling promotion. It is inspired by and loosely based on the history of the Goldust trio.

Can I start by expressing my admiration for the writing style? This is not the only first-person point of view that I have read. However, there was something about the way The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone was written by Richard W. Kelly that captivated me. I didn't notice the author's name when I started the book, so I initially assumed it was an autobiography.

It felt as though someone was sitting next to me and telling me the story as I read this book. I was shocked to learn that it was all a work of fiction, and I was also impressed. The narrator's voice was superbly fleshed out by Richard W. Kelly. The storytelling in the book flowed like butter and was organized impressively.

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.

The only concern I had about this book was the punctuation mistakes. Since they were not up to ten, it is safe to say that this book was professionally edited. However, the errors did not give this book a flawless appeal. This was a highly intriguing book, and I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I didn't deduct a star because there was nothing worth deducting a star for. However, I wished that the errors in it were fewer.

I recommend this book to lovers of fiction. This is a great book. If you like books written from the first-person point of view, then this book is for you.

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The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone
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[Lindiwe Chakhala]

Thank you for a great review. I enjoyed reading it. It is always enjoyable to find and read a book that "flows like butter".

[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

I agree that the book sounds like an autobiography when I sampled it, but I was surprised it was fiction. The narration is fluid. However, I'm not a fan of the wrestling/Goldust trio story, so I'll skip the book. Nonetheless, congratulations to the author on BOTD!

[Domeseo Camus Meda]

A BOOK BY RICHARD W KELLY WHICH TALKS ABOUT JOHN MALONE WHO DREAMS OF BECOME A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER AT THE TIME OF THE CARNIVAL AT THE CREATION OF THE FIRST WRESTLING PROMOTION.
A BOOK FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FANS. GOOD REVIEW

[Sushan Ekanayake]

The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone by Richard W. Kelly sounds like an incredibly immersive journey through the eyes of a budding professional wrestler. The fact that it's a work of fiction yet reads like an autobiography speaks volumes about the author's storytelling prowess. If you're into well-crafted historical fiction with tenacious characters, this could be your next read. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Prince Main]

I like stories written in the first-person point of view. It gives the book a personal touch making the storyline in here vivid and easy to relate to.

[Timothy Rucinski]

I must admit that there is something appealing about the world of wrestling. And I suspect, based on the review, that wrestling would lend itself nicely to a fictionalized account of its trials and tribulations. I may have to check this one out!

[Daniel Nnanna]

i must admit the world of wrestling is not for under age ,but I see determination and courage by the young man John, he is brave enough to show himself

[Aan Granados]

I thought this was historical fiction and Squirt Malone really existed but apparently this is fiction. It seems that this is enjoyable the way the author writes it. Thank you for your review.

[Emma Jane Grey]

I’m glad that the writing style worked for you because I just found it really grating, to be honest… I couldn’t get past the sample pages due to the writing style. Maybe if I were listening to it as an audiobook and had someone with a Texan accent read it to me then I might have a chance of enjoying it, but as it was I just had my brain doing an Australian’s bad imitation of a southern drawl in my own head and no-one needs to hear that

[Emma Jane Grey]

I thought this was historical fiction and Squirt Malone really existed but apparently this is fiction. It seems that this is enjoyable the way the author writes it. Thank you for your review.

“Historical fiction” is used pretty broadly for fiction set in historical settings a lot of the time now

[AntonelaMaria]

I always like when historical fiction novel is not about war. I haven't read any wrestling books. This is very informative review. Good job.

[Megan Kalos]

I am curious as to how this book ties in Golddust, his brother and their Dad. I have never heard them referred to as the Golddust trio and my husband has been a wrestling fan all of his life. I would find it interesting to read a historic fictional book about the world of wrestling and this sounds like a good one based on your review. Thank you!

[Ochieng Omuodo]

‘I struggled between wanting to punish the lad for his immature behavior and admiring his intrepid bravery.’

If you get that involved in a book, it must be an excellent one. That surprises me; I've never really been moved by wrestling.

[Nemanja Jankovic]

"The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone" by Richard W. Kelly is a historical fiction book in which the main character is John 'Squirt' Malone. Although he was just a farm boy, at only twelve years old he left home to become a professional wrestler.