pastabatman
11-10-2004, 07:34 PM
Hopefully this isn't inappropriate to bring up, but I've seen movies & such discussed here. I just recalled that one of my all time favorite novels has a very interesting poker element in it: Last Call by Tim Powers (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/038072846X/qid=1100127433/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/002-3715956-3401614).
It was the winner of the World Fantasy Award. Although it has 'fantastical' elements, it's also very gritty, and has fun with the actual settings and history of Las Vegas (e.g., Bugsy Siegel). Tim Powers' books have been referred to as the 'kind of fantasy books science fiction fans like to read', whatever that means.
From the back cover: [ QUOTE ]
Set in the gritty, dazzling otherworld known as Las Vegas, LAST CALL tells the story of a one-eyed professional gambler who discovers that he was not the big winner in a long-ago poker game...and now must play for the hightest stakes ever as he searches for a way to win back his soul.
[/ QUOTE ]
Note that it doesn't have loads of poker stuff, but the poker it does have is very central to the plot. There's even a scene in the Commerce Casino in LA. If you have a taste for rollicking tales and dark humor, combined with an interest in Las Vegas, check it out.
Enjoy,
Pasta
It was the winner of the World Fantasy Award. Although it has 'fantastical' elements, it's also very gritty, and has fun with the actual settings and history of Las Vegas (e.g., Bugsy Siegel). Tim Powers' books have been referred to as the 'kind of fantasy books science fiction fans like to read', whatever that means.
From the back cover: [ QUOTE ]
Set in the gritty, dazzling otherworld known as Las Vegas, LAST CALL tells the story of a one-eyed professional gambler who discovers that he was not the big winner in a long-ago poker game...and now must play for the hightest stakes ever as he searches for a way to win back his soul.
[/ QUOTE ]
Note that it doesn't have loads of poker stuff, but the poker it does have is very central to the plot. There's even a scene in the Commerce Casino in LA. If you have a taste for rollicking tales and dark humor, combined with an interest in Las Vegas, check it out.
Enjoy,
Pasta