The Color of Money

The Color of Money is a 1984 novel by American novelist Walter Tevis. It is the sequel to his 1959 novel, The Hustler. It was his sixth and final book before his death in the year of publication. Synopsis The novel is set in 1983. which is described in this book as twenty-two years after Fast Eddie defeated Minnesota Fats in Chicago. Eddie, now fifty, runs a pool hall of his own in Lexington, Kentucky. He is long married but getting a divorce, and his ex-wife has gained possession of the pool room, and she is selling off its tables. Eddie has not played pool in many years, even though Burt Gordon, the gambler who had threatened him if he continued playing professionally, is long dead. After being approached by a cable television production company to engage in a series of exhibition matches with Fats, he meets his old nemesis in the Florida Keys. Fats, now in his late sixties, is in poor health, but he is financially independent and spends his days photographing birds and fishing. Eddie persuades Fats to appear with him in the matches. Fats is reluctant to do so but agrees to do them for a higher fee. To win Fats's participation, Eddie agrees to give him a portion of his split of the fee. They go on tour, with Eddie getting advice from Fats along the way. Fats beats him in every match.. Eddie meets Arabella, an English woman, who moves in with him. With her encouragement, Eddie resumes playing pool, mostly nine-ball. He gains experience and confidence but struggles to overcome his years of inactivity and his experience with the techniques of straight pool, which is far different. Fats gives Eddie a list of small town pool rooms where he believes Eddie can win money. Eddie goes from town to town, challenging the best player in each poolroom. He wins, but winds up being cheated and beaten at one of them. He is continuing his exhibition matches with Fats, getting better. Fats dies just before their last match.