And Other Stories from the Storm Drains, Strip Clubs, and Trailer Parks of Las Vegas, is a creative-nonfiction collection set in off-the-beaten-path Vegas.One of five notable books about Las Vegas he discussed with Eve Gerber at The Browser:
Lay the FavoriteRead about the other books O'Brien tagged at The Browser.
by Beth Raymer
Let’s talk about today’s Las Vegas as captured by Beth Raymer in her 2010 memoir, Lay the Favorite. What is it about?
It’s about a young girl who moves out here with her boyfriend. Then they break up and she’s in need of work and unsure what to do, and she comes across a job opportunity as an assistant to a sports bettor. It’s about her experiences in this male dominated sports betting world.
Is sports betting an important part of the overall gambling industry in Nevada? I know it’s one of the few American states where sports betting is legal.It’s not considered one of the main types of gambling out here. A lot of money is made off baccarat, roulette, slots, craps, and blackjack. A sports book is a side attraction for tourists. People place bets but don’t drop a lot of money. The books do pretty well but not nearly as well as the slots and table games.
Raymer tells such a crackerjack of a story that her memoir has already been turned into a film by Stephen Frears. What recommends the written account over waiting to see the story in theatres?
You’re getting a female take on a male-dominated world. Raymer writes with a great sense of humour – there are tons of memorable one-liners.
--Marshal Zeringue
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