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Richard W. Kelly is a Texas native who began his writing career in 2010. He is a lifetime wrestling and history fan, so The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone was somewhat of a passion project waiting to happen.
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Inspired by real-life events, The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone is a historical drama by Richard W. Kelly. Set during the first two decades of the twentieth century, the story follows John Malone, the son of a cattle ranch owner from Denton, Texas, who runs away from home at the age of twelve to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. At a carnival in Dallas, John meets Joe Johnson and his partner Timmy Sampson, two grapplers who become mentors and bring him into the world of wrestling and all it entails. As the years pass, John becomes an indispensable member of the Dusted Triplets and tours all over the country to promote fights. But the wrestling world will soon take its toll as John learns the price of fame and fortune.
Richard W. Kelly tells an engrossing tale about the rise of professional wrestling in America at the dawn of the twentieth century. The narrative of The Early Years of 'Squirt' Malone almost feels like a movie following a young man's quest to chase his dreams. With a potent blend of drama, humor, romance, and tragedy, the plot keeps you hooked until the end. Through his characters, Kelly sheds light on the people who were pioneers of the sport in America. Each one has layers to their personalities, which make them relatable to the reader. I couldn't help but be compelled by their story arcs, even the secondary ones, such as Giant and Lady. The bittersweet ending leaves you with a sense of catharsis that only great novels can. Highly recommended.
