Apr 5, 2014

REVIEW: The Ballad of A Small Player

From my review for The New York Times:
'Damn. Another writer I have to care about. After a certain age it is as irksome to add to the list of writers one reads as it is to add to one’s circle of friends. For most of his career, Lawrence Osborne gave the impression of someone one could safely ignore. He wrote a novel in his youth that went the way of most first novels, before carving out a career as a travel writer and wine connoisseur, but then in his fifties something jolted him into writing another novel, The Forgiven, about Westerners partying on the edge of the Muslim desert, which turned out to be dark, brilliant and about as ignorable as a switchblade. Now he’s written another, and every other page there’s an image that catches the eye or sticks in the mind: “She handled them in the way that a buyer in a market will handle small fish before buying them.” That’s a woman betting on a hand of Baccarat. What’s great about those fish, apart from the way their size makes them so easy to flip, is the fear that they may go bad, just like a hand of cards. And how quickly they turn, too. You see? How can you hang into your indifference in the face of a simile like that? The setting is Macau, on the tip of mainland China closest to Hong Kong, where our narrator, a man known only to the locals as Lord Doyle, sits hunched at the baccarat tables of the local casinos, mustering a show of exceptional indifference as he burns his way through a stash of money in his suite. He is watched only by a call-girl in her late twenties named Dao-Ming, who observes, after sleeping with him, “you play as if you don’t care.” He doesn’t disagree. Lord Doyle, we quickly learn, is no such thing, but a lawyer from Sussex on the run after embezzling money from an elderly widow. Now he plays like a man in a freefall, waiting for the bottom to hit. “Everyone knows you’re not a real player until you secretly prefer losing” he observes. He’s certainly picked the right game: Baccarat, the game of instant death, dispensing millions, or raining damnation, in a matter of seconds, which may explain why it is the preferred game of James Bond. “It has danger, a steel edge to it,” says Doyle. For sheer clarity of exposition, there will probably never be any beating the famous opening scene of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, in which Bond relieves his opponent Le Chiffre of 70 million francs by a mixture of mathematical wizardry and good old-fashioned intuition. “You never play your hand, you play the man across from you,” says Bond. One shudders to think what Bond would make of Lord Doyle, a lost soul locked in mortal combat with himself, a pallid ghost ensnared in Macau’s casinos, with their neoclassical gold, potted palms and unmistakable smell of “humans concentrating on their bad fortune.”'

50 comments:

  1. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new
    scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You've done an impressive job and our
    whole community will be thankful to you.

    Here is my web page cheat for Baseball Heroes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These Violent Delights: Review: The Ballad Of A Small Player >>>>> Download Now

      >>>>> Download Full

      These Violent Delights: Review: The Ballad Of A Small Player >>>>> Download LINK

      >>>>> Download Now

      These Violent Delights: Review: The Ballad Of A Small Player >>>>> Download Full

      >>>>> Download LINK ce

      Delete
  2. louis vuitton for cheap
    Does your website have a contact page? I'm having a tough time locating it but, I'd like to shoot you an email.
    I've got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I visited various web pages except the audio quality for audio songs existing at this website is in fact wonderful.


    my blog: how to gain Muscle quickly

    ReplyDelete
  4. Normally I don't learn post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very
    pressured me to check out and do it! Your writing taste
    has been amazed me. Thank you, quite nice article.


    Here is my blog china dating

    ReplyDelete
  5. For a lot of, driving is actually a form associated with relaxation, for
    some individuals it can be an anxiousness driven task. Whatever
    your personal feelings about it, driving is a component individuals lifestyle and culture.

    Unless you reside near almost everything, or are now living in an
    region that grows fastest on community transportation, then then you've
    got to push at some point. Driving doesn't have
    to be considered a chore which freaks someone out any time you are driving, yet you
    must do need to understand the hazards that may occur.

    This article will appear with a few of the things that can be done to remain
    safe whilst driving. These tips will help you feel more comfortable on the highway and
    additionally protect an individual from dangerous dangers.



    Feel free to surf to my homepage: Learn to drive in Dublin

    ReplyDelete
  6. What i don't understood is actually how you're now not really much
    more smartly-favored than you may be now. You are so intelligent.
    You recognize therefore considerably in terms of this matter, produced me in my view consider it from numerous numerous
    angles. Its like men and women are not fascinated except it is something to do with Lady gaga!
    Your individual stuffs outstanding. Always deal with it up!


    Here is my web blog: Buy Slim Tropical; java.talk2techie.in,

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes! Finally someone writes about deer hunter 2014 cheats ().

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd most certainly donate to this fantastic blog!
    I suppose for now i'll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group.

    Chat soon!

    Feel free to visit my page scarpe louboutin outlet

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey! Someоne in my Myspace group shared this site wіth us sso
    I came to look it οveг. I'm definitely loνing tҺhe infoгmatіon. I'mbook-maгking and will
    be tweeting tҺis to mmy followers! Excellent blg and terrifіc design ɑnd style.



    Here is my weblog; followers became

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are really enormous ideas in concerning blogging.
    You have touched some pleasant things here. Any way keep up wrinting.


    Here is my homepage :: After Effects Animation

    ReplyDelete
  11. Large fructose corn syrup and so my body rest
    and recover quicker. With so many competitors, but bodybuilders get help
    from other streams of bodybuilding supplement or anti-aging supplements have ruined the lives of
    many different types and the branched-chain variety offer more items.
    The best muscle building and preserving nature and efficacy of steroids and tested and then the following to regain a sense of well being in shape via bodybuilding.


    Feel free to visit my blog exercise plans

    ReplyDelete
  12. Michael Bailey had Faith Kroll and her fiancee Jim Marcus as guest speakers for his human sexuality
    class. Maybe, Sweden will be the first country to officially outlaw religion in the longer term, who knows…There you've it folks,
    the 25 most Atheist nations inside world. The attractiveness
    of adult chat services are that you simply can pick the webcam girls which you are most interested in and so they will indulge your sexual whims directly.



    Here is my web page: Russian Model - Www.Youtube.Com,

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up.
    Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say
    wonderful blog!

    Feel free to visit my web-site - best weight loss diets for men

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's in fact very complex in this busy life to listen news on Television, thus I just use
    web for that purpose, and take the newest information.

    My web page :: best free web hosting sites 2012 cnet

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work
    due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?


    my web blog - homepage ()

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can
    survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
    My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I
    had to share it with someone!

    Feel free to visit my web page ... amazon contact number uk

    ReplyDelete
  17. whoah this weblog is magnificent i love studying your articles.
    Stay up the good work! You know, lots of individuals are hunting around for this info,
    you can aid them greatly.

    Also visit my web site :: myspace music marketing services

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great article. I'm experiencing some of these issues as well..


    Here is my web-site; เสื้อผ้าแฟชั่น

    ReplyDelete
  19. In the event all facets regarding a payday loan had been this specific sleek, a would likely rate of growth!
    No person likes to should pay out higher interest to get a mortgage, yet any time selections are generally confined, you will observe a growth throughout value. Don't even think a primary payday advance bank will be the simply business that profits by confined rivalry. Convenience retailers are located on many the avenue nook the place that the community store is actually outside the area perimeter. It is possible to pick up use, juice, bread, refreshments and snacks for a more achieable value as compared to when you gone across town towards grocer. Oahu is the value regarding benefit.text loans no credit check

    ReplyDelete
  20. Any major warehouse will have wood pallets that most warehouse managers are happy to give away (that way they can avoid a disposal
    fee). Related policies are largely based on the function of the asset purchased
    or the purpose of the expenses incurred. It can be very frustrating to go over the hard
    planning work over again - so it is better to be aware of all building codes and requirements of
    your local council before you implement any plans.


    Feel free to visit my web site :: the best boiler service bristol

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your means of describing all in this article is truly fastidious,
    every one be able to without difficulty be aware of
    it, Thanks a lot.

    my blog ... home blog (zoorni.net)

    ReplyDelete
  22. What's up, for all time i used to check web site posts here early in the morning, since
    i like to learn more and more.

    my website biuro reklamy

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mobile games are high definition action, puzzle, and in today's exciting
    market, traffic racer hack because is difficult to be installed into the ultimate commitment.
    In a new village owner will have to be more exciting or challenging than any other data
    transferring devices. Well, that will definitely help a newbie player here, but there was
    only games which are available in such a smart phone.

    Also visit my website; Traffic racer hack

    ReplyDelete
  24. I shall be Ьack for more! For me, this is the indication of a genuinely gifted
    author. Congratulɑtions!

    Alsoo visit my web page; e liquid

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to look it over.
    I'm definitely enjoying the information. I'm book-marking and
    will be tweeting this to my followers! Wonderful blog and terrific design and style.


    my page star stable cheats

    ReplyDelete

  26. Through which by itself Wets' existence started to sparkle. Really, both individuals had been referring to banking institutions that provide loans towards the United kingdom's individuals from reduce rates of interest without having searching back again client's background. They provide monetary help any kind of course as well as kind of individuals. They're the very best method of solve your own existing difficulties as well as pay back the total amount within 12 months. There are lots of this kind of businesses in the united kingdom which are engaged using the exact same company.

    http://textloansonlineuk.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete

  27. To get loan advance that accompanies adaptable terms, you ought to dependably take a stab at searching for organizations that give dependable administrations inside adaptable terms and conditions.
    http://www.waytoloans.com/unemployed-payday-loans.html
    http://www.waytoloans.com/payday-loans.html
    http://www.waytoloans.com/unsecured-loans-for-bad-credit.html
    http://www.waytoloans.com/unsecured-tenant-loans.html
    http://www.waytoloans.com/faxless-payday-loans.html

    ReplyDelete
  28. The actual money may within the hands associated with clingy individual inside fastest period feasible. Remember that payment promptly is essential with regard to long term easy dealings. Deliver the application right now!
    http://textloansu.co.uk/
    http://doorsteploanszone.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete

  29. These people examine authenticity of the particulars and your own paying back capability prior to offering you the actual approval.
    bad credit loans @ http://badcreditpaydayloansx.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  30. Shein Customer Care No Our customer service is available 24x7 and you can contact us any time by calling. If you have any query or servicing you can call Shein customer care no, please contact us at sheinretech.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. SHEIN Customer Care is a 24/7 helpline to solve your problem with the customer at any time of the day. We are committed to satisfying our customers and providing excellent customer service.
    Shein Customer Service

    ReplyDelete
  32. Such a nice information, Realy i like your all blogs and content. Please keep it up and do best from your side. I am very happy with your touch.
    shein return policy||shein return policy usa||shein returns policy||shein refund policy||shein exchange policy||how do i return to shein

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hey very interresting blog!

    ReplyDelete
  34. These Violent Delights: Review: The Ballad Of A Small Player >>>>> Download Now

    >>>>> Download Full

    These Violent Delights: Review: The Ballad Of A Small Player >>>>> Download LINK

    >>>>> Download Now

    These Violent Delights: Review: The Ballad Of A Small Player >>>>> Download Full

    >>>>> Download LINK

    ReplyDelete