Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Rough House:
I got two words for ya. Read this!
Quick synopsis:
The story of Hunter James as he tries to climb the ladder of professional wrestling.
Fact for Non-History People:
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) generated $1.71 billion in revenue during 2025.
Fact for History Nerds:
There are hundreds of independent professional wrestling promotions worldwide.
My Take on Rough House:
Do you remember the movie “The Sandlot”? Ostensibly a baseball movie, it was really about growing up at a certain time, in a certain place, and making friendships. Baseball was there, but it wasn’t the point.
I think the same applies to Alison Lyn Miller’s Rough House. Yes, this book is set against the backdrop of indie professional wrestling. There is no required knowledge of wrestling required in the slightest. That is because Miller isn’t telling the story of wrestling, but the story of a family and community in a certain place in time brought together by the sport. Um, well sports entertainment. (Side note: The hilarity of seeing wrestling moves written out in footnotes still has me giggling. Miller explains a DDT perfectly, it’s just humorous to see it in print.)
The father is Billy Ray, and the son is Hunter in the subtitle. There is friction but it is very temporary. Again, this is about how a father and son are so similar, but the father wanting a better life for his child may not be what the actual plan is. While they are the main characters, Miller turns her literary gaze on everyone and anyone who fills out the picture of Georgia indie wrestling. I especially appreciate Miller’s willingness to let her characters be themselves. There are quotes in here that some people will cringe at, but it’s part of showing what this insular world is like.
If you are a wrestling fan, you don’t need my recommendation to pick this up. If you aren’t, don’t let the subject matter drive you away from this one. It’s about a lot more than you think it is.
(This book was provided as a review copy by W. W. Norton & Company.)
Verdict:
Literary comfort food in the best possible way. Buy it here!
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