AhardboilednovelaboutlifeintheAmericanunderground,fromthepoolhallsofPortlandtothecellsofSanQuentin.Simplyoneofthefinestbookseverwrittenaboutbeingdownonyourluck.DonCarpenter’sHardRainFallingisatough-as-nailsaccountofbeingdownandout,butneverdownforgood--aDostoyevskiantaleofcrime,punishment,andthepursuitofanever-elusiveredemption.ThenovelfollowstheadventuresofJackLevitt,anorphanedteenagerlivingoffhiswitsinthefleabaghotelsandseedypoolhallsofPortland,Oregon.JackbefriendsBillyLancing,ayoungblackrunawayandpoolhustlerextraordinaire.AheistgonewronggetsJacksenttoreformschool,fromwhichheemergesembitteredbyabuseandsolitaryconfinement.InthemeantimeBillyhasjoinedthemiddleclass--married,fatheredason,acquiredabusinessandamistress.ButneitherJacknorBillycanescapetheirtroubledpasts,andtheywillmeetagaininSanQuentinbeforetheirstrangedoubledramacomestoaviolentandrevelatoryend.
