Book Reviews
Editorial Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
In Simpson’s novel, a sheltered teenager finds freedom in a life of hustling on pool and poker tables.
Slade Garrick grows up in Central Texas, the son of deeply religious Baptist parents who anxiously attempt to control every facet of his life. Both strict disciplinarians, they allow him only fleeting contact with the world beyond his church, and his cloistered existence is only bearable because he believes it’s the societal norm. However, as he grows older, he begins to see that his peers enjoy infinitely more liberty and discovers that the moral righteousness of his parents is often tainted by hypocrisy. His life changes when he meets Arnold Cabraise, a street-smart boy who hustles him in a game of flipping quarters one day. Instead of bristling with indignation, Slade experiences awe at the very notion of hustling, a calculated way to transform a game of chance into one of deliberate strategy. He eventually leaves home and drops out of college to pursue a new life as a pool and poker hustler. When he finally emancipates himself from the prohibitive tyranny of his mercurially violent father, the elder responds predictably, with a surfeit of clumsy melodrama that characterizes the novel as a whole: “Well, you’ll fall flat on your face, boy, you don’t know how easy you have it. I guess you’re gonna go live a life of sin. Don’t think we don’t know what is going on when you’re in the bathroom taking all those long showers. You’re going straight to hell, boy!” Slade is an uncommonly intelligent young man—he has an IQ of 140—but he’s also wildly arrogant, always assuming he’s the smartest person in the room. As a result, he flounders until he meets his mentor, Wild Phil, a local bookie who becomes a father figure to Slade. Phil teaches Slade to approach the hustle with the same analytical rigor with which one would build a legitimate business, and to set his ego aside when money is at stake. Phil drums his guiding mantra into Slade: “You have to lose to win.”
Simpson’s knowledge of this grifting underworld feels encyclopedic, as does his command of the cultural peculiarities of Texas. His devoted gamblers speak their own private language, an “eerie foreign dialect of English,” a fascinating brew of technical terms, colloquialisms, and profanity. The plot moves at a breakneck pace and vividly captures a demimonde that is simultaneously driven by deceit and a code of honor. However, the author’s prose lacks literary style or power—in place of nuanced description, Simpson delivers maudlin overstatement and breathlessly overwrought heavy-handedness. The novel has a didactic quality—clearly, the author, an executive coach, has a lesson to impart (the crux of it is referenced in the novel’s title). This gets hammered home to the reader repeatedly, and by the conclusion of the book it is little more than a cliched chorus.
The murky world of gambling is impressively portrayed, but as literary drama the novel is underwhelming.
BookView Reviews
Simpson’s debut installment in the Texas Sharks series is a gripping narrative of self-discovery, tracing the transformation of a meek and sheltered young man as he delves into the cutthroat underbelly of gambling and hustling.
Slade’s childhood was suffocating, with overbearing parents dictating his every move. But when he crosses paths with the cunning and streetwise Arnold, a new world of independence and individuality opens up to him.
Driven by his hunger for success, Slade delves into the realm of gambling and hustling, forming alliances with low-level swindlers and finding guidance in the form of Phil. As he becomes entangled in a web of deceit and cutthroat competition, Slade must confront the consequences of his ruthless pursuit of victory and the sacrifices that come with it. Slade’s story unfolds in the gripping present tense, told by a third-person omniscient narrator voice.
This structure creates a sense of unease and uncertainty, keeping readers invested. Simpson draws the reader into the story with his crisp prose, keen observations, and a biting tone. He masterfully crafts each character with depth and complexity, intensifying their interactions and propelling the plot toward its satisfying climax.
A gripping and thought-provoking tale that also delves into the depths of human insecurity, while exploring society’s fixation on material possessions and influence.
The Prairies Book Review
An insightful exploration of friendship, resilience, and tenacity.
Simpson kickstarts his Texas Sharks series with this riveting account of one man’s quest for identity, who immerses himself in the risky underworld of gambling and hustling.
Slade was raised in a strict, suffocating home where the punishment for breaking rules was severe. But when he comes of age, he escapes to a world with its own set of rules and language. In this gritty new underworld of gambling and hustling, Slade quickly becomes fluent in terms like “9-ball” and “Texas Hold ‘em”. He joins forces with a band of con artists and finds a mentor in Phil the bookie.
However, as he delves deeper into this dangerous game where money is king and losers are discarded, he starts to question his place in it all. Is he just another pawn being played by those who hold the power?
Simpson takes us on an exhilarating journey as we witness Slade’s transformation from a timid, sheltered young man into a confident and cunning adult, consumed by the world of gambling and hustling. With a gritty yet sparkling backdrop of 1980s Central Texas, Slade’s tale captivates as it delves into the complexities of dysfunctional family dynamics, friendships, and the intricate web of human relationships.
But this is not just a simple coming-of-age tale; it is a gripping exploration of power, control, desire, and self-discovery. As the narrative jumps back and forth in time—unraveling Slade’s transformation from a strict upbringing to an improbable bond with Arnorld, his battle with an incomplete engineering degree, and his plunge into the treacherous realm of gambling and hustling—the reader gets a realistic view of just how childhood circumstances can shape the course of a person’s life.
The relentless third-person omniscient narrative voice pulls readers deep into the heart of the action, while the well-developed and relatable characters add layers to the intense and fast-paced plot. Certain characters fall into recognizable archetypes for readers, such as the savvy, slick con artists who value loyalty just as much as success, or the subtly manipulative wife and mother. Yet, they are portrayed with such skill that they come across as genuine individuals. Arnold, Jimmy, and Phil serve as the book’s third rails, imbuing every scene with electrifying tension.
And with an exciting conclusion that leaves readers gasping for air, Simpson sets the stage for what promises to be an unputdownable sequel to Slade’s story. A winner.
Amazon Verified Reviews
Great read from first-time author!
It was a compelling story that kept me interested till the end. I’m anxiously waiting to see what more of this story is yet to be told!
Aaron
This is an interesting and exciting coming-of-age story of a hustler you can’t help but root for. From his roots as a child from a religiously repressive family to slick hustler, the main character makes a long journey in this book. Parts of this book read so fast you don’t realize you have read through 2 chapters. I am looking forward to the next book this author writes.
Brett S
A gripping and realistic coming-of-age story! (Spoilers removed)
“You’ve Got to Lose to Win” is a gripping coming-of-age story about Slade's transformation from a sheltered, meek young man into a confident adult who finds purpose and growth by engaging in the subculture of gambling and hustling.
The book portrays Slade's journey of self-discovery as he breaks free from the oppressive environment of his parent’s home and gradually achieves more autonomy. (partially removed)
The story's characters are believable and realistic. (partially removed)
I found it interesting how the story highlights the psychological aspects of how to effectively gamble and hustle. (partially removed)
“You’ve Got to Lose to Win” is a heartwarming and realistic story about human resilience and growth amidst the challenges of growing up in a difficult household and learning how to navigate a complicated and competitive world.
I highly recommend this book!
Chad T
In Will Simpson's debut novel, he makes an interesting addition to the sports novel genre. Most novels which take gambling as the central object tend to discount the fact that gambling is a sport. What drives similar novels is the complex relationship between characters and not, necessarily, the sport that binds these characters together.
You've Got To Lose To Win is different. While the world of gambling in 1970's Central Texas is certainly present, what is focused on is the game of gambling. Filled with technical details Simpson weaves together a plot aimed to show the complexity of gambling while driving the story through the sport.
Simpson, through such a focus, is able to reveal characters for what they are in such a world. The object that binds these characters, as Simpson is aware of, is a sport. It is not mutual respect, care, or romance. It is a business. This allows the reader to see how in the world of gambling each character takes a gamble on one another. Will their presence benefit or hinder the overall construct?
In such a way, a reader ought to gamble on this book. The unique setting and plot will undoubtedly make a few readers uncomfortable but in this discomfort, the reader is able to understand a world that is, perhaps by design, left obscure. This book offers a glimpse of a gambling world devoid of glitz and glamor in favor of the real-life picture of what the world of gambling is.
Sam S
An encyclopedia of gambling knowledge!
The book’s character development is strong. The reader gets invested in the choices Slade makes. There is an infinite amount of poker/ gambling knowledge which was all new for this reader. It will be interesting to see how Slade uses his parental influence (which seems to loom in his mind) as he continues to progress in the “outside” world.
Rebekah
I’m not a gambler, nor have I really read many books about poker or the art of gambling. This is not really about that alone, it’s both a coming-of-age story and a look inside the shady world of card sharks, but there’s more.
We meet Slade, a young man from a very repressed religious household, who, until the age of 18, doesn’t know much about the world at all until he gets involved with his friend Arnold. The rest of the book takes you down the winding path of pool halls, and various shady characters in central Texas in the 80s It’s a triumphant first attempt for this author. A must-read for those who like delving into the darker side.
Secret Shopper