Leaving Sparta
GENRE
HISTORICAL FICTION
Core Theme
THE RISE OF TEXAS HOLD'EM AS A POPULAR GAME; BOY COMING OF AGE THRIVING THROUGH GAMBLING.
TIME PERIOD
Earlier 20th Century
COMPARABLE TITLES
THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
CHARACTER LIST
ELI SWAIN. 17. QUIET, BRAVE, HUMBLE, SMART.
BARTHOLOMEW SWAIN. 40'S. ELI'S FATHER, GOT INJURED WHILE WORKING IN THEIR FARM'S CROP.
JOSEPH COMMINS 45. ELI'S PROFESSOR AND MENTOR. FORMER PROFESSIONAL POKER PLAYER.
SIDDUTH WALTON (SID). 50. ELI'S OPPONENT. BULLY. NASTY, SKILLED BUT FUSSY PLAYER.
YELLOW SUIT. ELI AND SID'S OPPONENT. CLASSY, FAIR PLAY.
LOUISE SWAIN. ELI'S MOM.
ELIZABETH SWAIN. ELI'S SISTER.
Logline
Historical fiction about a farmer's son living in the now submerged city of Sparta, Texas who gambles everything in a high stakes poker game to save his family and leave Sparta after tragedy strikes. A story of character and coming of age under desperate circumstances.
Target Audiences
Age: 35-54,55+,18-34
Target Gender: Universal,Male Leaning
Setting
Sparta, Texas (1903)
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: No
Starting Description
The protagonist (Eli Swain) encounters hardship when his father is injured in a cotton gin and the family farm is lost in a flood. Eli is a natural card player that ends up in a high stakes game of the newest brand of poker, Texas Hold 'Em.
Ending Description
The story ends when Eli stakes the deed to his flooded farm in a high stakes game of Hold 'Em against seasoned and unscrupulous players. He utilizes all of his natural talent and learned skills from his mentor, Joseph Cummins, who has his own colorful past.
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Happy Ending
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Rags to Riches
Main Character Details
Name: Eli Swain
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Confident,Desperate,Heroic,Honorable,Skillful,Underdog,Modest
Additional Character Details
Name: Joseph Cummins
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Adventurous,Masculine,Modest,Empathetic,Engaging,Skillful,Leader,Educated
Additional Character Details
Name: Sidduth Walton
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Masculine,Villainous,Narcisstic,Skillful,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
Eli Swain is a young man seeking to save his family and his sick father from poverty after their farm is flooded in the city of Sparta. With the help of his teacher Joseph, also a professional gambler, Eli is forced to trust on his talents and takes his chances on a Texas Hold'Em battle.
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: FAIR
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
Book Profile reflects book accurately.
Draw of Story
What drew me into this story is the situation in the journey of the character Eli Swain. His coming of age process in an extremely difficult family situation, allied with his vulnerability and honesty makes it impossible for the reader not to get involved and root for him.
Possible Drawbacks
Even though writing is dynamic and enticing, paragraphs are too long and punctuation should be reviewed.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
I would watch this movie because the protagonist is interesting and all that is being risked makes the poker game night thrilling.
Fanbase Potential
It could have a large fanbase if adapted due to the popularity that the poker game Texas Hold'Em gathers nowadays, as it shows its origins along with interesting characters.
Awards Potential
It could have awards potential if adapted because it would require great scenario and costume work, as well as demand exquisite acting during poker matches.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
What’s New About the Story
The original thing about the story is that it shows the origins of a very popular game, as well as the american social context of the situation it was created.
Lead Characters
Eli Swain is a smart, good-hearted boy who is growing up with heavy responsibilities in his shoulders. He is a vulnerable and also talented and charismatic character. Joseph Cummings is his mentor, but also has an interesting past and is an intriguing character. Sid is also an interesting villain.
Uniqueness of Story
This work needs to be improved in terms of character and story development.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This is a very interesting story, developed with great writing and amazing potential for audiovisual adaptation. However, characters, context and story require better development.
Brief
Eli is a young man whose family is in a difficult situation after a flood in their farm. Having learned with how to play a new game, Texas Hold'Em, he decides to risk everything in order to save his family and begin anew.
What We Liked
It's an intriguing story sure to catch the audience's attention as it shows the origins of Texas Hold'Em along with a relatable protagonist and fascinating side characters.
Film: It would be a great adaptation for Film as it brings along a classic story development, characters are solid and engaging, and there is a happy ending.
TV: It would be a great adaptation for TV as the protagonist's arc depicts a boy coming of age as he deals with adult responsibilities as he learns how to play Texas Hold'Em and read people, and this journey plus thrilling games may keep audience hooked during several episodes.
Key points:
Poker game; Texas Hold'em origins; charismatic and lucky protagonist; happy ending; great villain
Synopsis
Eli is a responsible young man taking care of his family and their humble farm, in the now submerged city of Sparta, after his dad, Bartholomew Swain, got his arm seriously injured working.
Even though Eli had too many responsibilities for a young man, he was able to keep up with farm's chores and also going to school cheerfully.
At school, Joseph Cummins - Eli's teacher and a former professional player who decided to retire after earning some money gambling - teaches the boy how to play Texas Hold'Em, a game that has been emerging in the region.
As they manage to win a few bucks, he realizes the boy is talented.
One day, when a heavy rain floods the land of the Swains ruining the cotton harvest, Eli decides to risk all they had - including the deed of the farm - in a Texas Hold'Em game, hoping for a strike of luck able to save his poor family from desperation.
In the decisive day of the game, Eli takes the time to study his strongest opponents, that narrow down to the rude Sid, a man he had faced before, and a gentleman in a Yellow Suit.
As he gets the best hand of his life, dismisses Yellow Suit and faces Sid, Eli counts with the pride of his opponent to match his bet. That way, luck and strategy is the combination that enables Eli's family to start all over in a different place with enough money and Bart's health restored.