A Fan’s Notes: A Fictional Memoir
By: Frederick Exley
This book, a cult classic written in 1968, is an honest and intelligent account of the life of a lonely, mentally ill, alcoholic obsessed with football and Frank Gifford, the NY Giants running back. While this may sound like Charles Bukowski, it is more thoughtful and human. The book is at times hilarious, at times angry and always deeply sad. But somehow it manages to avoid being depressing. You may be surprised at how much you have to learn from someone in Exley’s shoes.
Reviewer: Michele Ostrow
