
books


First published: 1986
Publisher: WW Norton & Company
Length: 317 pages
Available at:
Alamo House
A tale of Austin back when the city was weird without trying and three friends teamed up to take the town by storm.
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Return to an Austin where the beer was Shiner long necks, the music cosmic cowboy, Velveeta was still considered cheese, and, for all anyone knew, Elon Musk was a men’s body spray. Meet the residents of Alamo House. They may be at comic odds with each other, but at least they have one thing in common: They all hate the frat rats across the street.
Here blossoms an extraordinary, endearing friendship among Mary Jo, hilariously confused about life and love but determined to get both right; Fayrene, flushed with freedom after her escape from Baptist Waco; and Collie, party girl and self-proclaimed guide to the ways of the world. Together, they make the best Lone Star combo since Dr Pepper, chips, and queso.
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“Not since Billy Lee Brammer has a book described Austin life so vividly.”
Austin-American Statesman
“A zany, fast-paced novel. An author as talented as Bird has a right to write about anything she pleases.”
Chicago Tribune
“A comic triumph.”
New York Times Book Review
