{"product_id":"billy-liar-by-keith-waterhouse-rare-books","title":"Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse [rare books]","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"58\" class=\"\"\u003eBook Summary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"313\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"62\" data-end=\"74\"\u003eBilly Liar\u003c\/em\u003e (published in 1959) is a modern British classic that mixes comedy and pathos. It tells the story of Billy Fisher, a young man trapped in a mundane existence in a Northern English town, who copes by escaping into elaborate fantasies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"341\" data-end=\"628\" class=\"\"\u003eBilly Fisher is a 19-year-old clerk living with his parents and grandmother in the fictional Yorkshire town of Stradhoughton. He works at an undertaker's office, where he frequently daydreams about being a successful writer, hero, or statesman in his imaginary country, Ambrosia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"883\" class=\"\"\u003eIn reality, Billy is unreliable and dishonest — he lies compulsively, especially to cover up mistakes or exaggerate his accomplishments. He’s also engaged to two women at the same time (and possibly pursuing a third), none of whom know about the others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"885\" data-end=\"1171\" class=\"\"\u003eThe novel takes place over the course of one day, during which Billy’s various lies and fantasies begin to unravel. He’s offered a chance to escape his dreary life — he could run away to London with Liz, the one girl who truly understands him — but at the last moment, he hesitates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1301\" class=\"\"\u003eThe story ends with Billy retreating back into his imagination, unable to break free from the comfortable trap of his fantasies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1791\" class=\"\"\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1793\" data-end=\"2102\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1793\" data-end=\"1813\"\u003eKeith Waterhouse\u003c\/strong\u003e (1929–2009) was an English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and journalist. \u003cem data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1905\"\u003eBilly Liar\u003c\/em\u003e is his most famous work, noted for its witty prose and sharp social commentary. Waterhouse also adapted the novel into a successful stage play (with Willis Hall), a 1963 film, and a TV series.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Best Of Used Books","offers":[{"title":"Used","offer_id":46307935158529,"sku":"346YFXLA9-Used","price":299.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0421\/4299\/0495\/files\/6666_b30fb33a-7dd4-4aeb-bdad-eccc9ab0c9e8.jpg?v=1747654345","url":"https:\/\/bestofusedbooks.com\/products\/billy-liar-by-keith-waterhouse-rare-books","provider":"Best Of Used Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}