Wishin' and Hopin'

Run Don't Walk

When you are reading Wally Lamb's lastest book you will smile all of the time and laugh out loud half of the time. Did you attend Catholic grade school during the 1960's? Then run don't walk to the book store and pick up this delightful Christmas treasure. Wonderful stocking stuffer. Mr. Lamb kept this book under 275 pages. Wally if you read these reviews, please bring us more stories about Felix and his family.

7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

A new Christmas classic!

It's a charming book. I have always enjoyed Wally Lamb's other books and it was quite refreshing to have something so humorous from him. While I never attended parochial schools, I feel that I know what one is like from the book. It has a real charm about it and will become one of my annual Christmas traditions. Happy Holidays Everybody!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Charming and full of the human comedy

Set in New London, CT in 1964, this story portrays family, from the child's viewpoint, at its best -- loving, supportive, and full of hope. Wally Lamb captures and seamlessly presents the reality of a more innocent time and warms our hearts with laughter and appreciation in the process. A wonderful book.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

humorous hysterical historical

Looking back over years to In December 1964 when Cassius Clay and the Beatles were kings, Felix Funicello, whose family's claim to fame is being a third cousin to Mickey's Annette, attended the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School in Connecticut. A fifth grader at the time, he, with the help of twice left back Lonny Flood, caused the meltdown (back then we said nervous breakdown) of their teacher Sisters Dymphna. At the time Felix, the smallest child in the fifth grade was going on Ronald Reagan's TV show Ranger Andy as a Junior Midshipmen and his mom was participating in the TV Pillsbury Bake Off show.

The school is doing a Christmas play production while the newest student is Russian tomboy Zhenya Kabakova who competed with the boys in their sports like dodgeball and "bezbull." All the students assumed she is a Soviet spy. Felix who was ranked as the second best student knew he could never catch the #1 Rosalie Twerski because she worked the teachers. When his mom melted down on TV frightening the host Reagan, Felix vows to save the family honor. Looking like the comic strip character Dondi, he goes on Ranger Andy and tells a dirty joke that turns Reagan's face red. However, it is the shenanigans involving the Christmas play that will go down in parochial school infamy.

This humorous hysterical historical tale targets two prime groups though other readers will appreciate the pranks too. Young adults will root for the feisty almost famous Felix and nostalgic boomers like me (elementary school student at the time) who know Annette by her first name and remember the Louisville Lip before he became Ali. Wally Lamb provides an engaging look at 1964, a pivotal year in American culture with the British invasion and our first environmentally conscious politician Lady Bird beautifying America. This is a winner.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Fun read!

If you would like to venture into the world of a fifth grade boy going through his family and school life this is a must read! Wally Lamb captures the mind of child perfectly and hilariously. I giggled out loud on every page, in every chapter! This is a light hearted book I will read over and over again.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life as a 5th grade boy in 1964, fun memories!

It's 1964, LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone's turntable, and ten-year-old Felix Funicello (distant cousin to Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade - easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon character boy.

But there are still several things young Felix can depend on: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he's never going to forget.

In Wally Lambs Christmas story, Wishin' and Hopin', we get a birds eye view of the life of Felix Funicello who attends a Catholic school, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School. He personally feels responsible for one of his teachers, Sister Dymphna, melt down, will always be second to Rosalie Twerski who out does him in everything from making cardboard display boards for Literature and English grammar rules as well as her constant souvenirs from her vacation spots that are shared in Science class and remains number one in the class..

This at a time when Russians were believed to be communists, his mother is about to be on national TV for the Pillsbury baking contest finals, and he is trying to fit in with the rest of the boys in the fifth grade.

To read all about Felix's confession, you'll have to check this wonderful book out. I have to warn readers that there is profanity and some strong subject matter when dealing with what 5th grade boys are thinking about during this stage of their life.

I received this book compliments of TLC Book Tours for my honest review and have to say for the most part I loved it. My hubby and I took turns comparing notes from our childhood to Felix's and some of the things he said were very memorable. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars just for the language and subject matter but otherwise it's a great story.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A charmer

I read this book quickly, as I do all of Mr Lamb's books...I was thrilled to see another book out so soon from him! It was charming, and like all his books, his narrative feels authentic. She's Come Undone has been my favorite book since it was first chosen for Oprah's book club, and I've read them all and love them all. This is a quick, easy, enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the next one!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Funny funny funny

So well written you forget it's a novel

Hearwarming Read

I was a child during the middle of the last century. Reading Wishin' and Hopin' is like revisiting those years. Love the characters. The book was funny and also touched my heart. I enjoyed it so much I bought another copy of this ebook for a gift to a very good friend.

Very entertaining!!!

Very quick but highly entertsing read. Laugh outloud funny and is a great representation of parochial school life!!

Highly Recommended!

A witty, lighthearted, reflection of your childhood! The Sandlot, A Christmas Story, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever come together to for an entertaining story written with amazing voice and imagery! Your will enjoy this book during Christmas vacation or Summer vacation!

Very entertaining, laugh out loud funny

Very funny coming of age story (not recommended for younger readers, unfortunately). This story could replace the "Christmas Story" my son insists we watch every year.

Great quick holiday read.

Great quick holiday read. Funny and nostalgic.

Loved this...a great Christmas surprise!

Found this book in the aisle of Big Lots. Recognized Wally Lamb's name because I'd read "I Know This Much is True" and "She's Come Undone". Couldn't live without this one.

What a wonderful Christmas surprise. I couldn't put it down and such a comfort while I was enduring jury duty as a juror in a capital murder trial. During our long hours in the jury room, I finished this awesome Christmas book.

I am now reading again!

too funny

The only problem was that I couldn't read it in bed, because I kept waking my husband up with my laughing! A true "LOL" book.

Good, but not great

Enjoyed it, but didn't love it.

Cute Little Sttory

This is cute, little story. Funny! Not the usual Wally Lamb excellence, but worth the few hours it takes to read it!

True Wally Lamb

If you love Wally Lamb, you'll love Wishin' and Hopin'. Quick and fun read!

A Feel-Good Christmas Story

This was a great Christmas story! It made me laugh out loud and smile. After just directing a Christmas program, I found that section in the book a hoot! The characters were well-written, and I wasn't disappointed by this story from Mr. Lamb.

Entertaining

This is a great, cute read around Christmastime. It's different from Lamb's other books in that it is a light-hearted, quirky tale reminiscent of A Christmas Story. I really enjoyed this quick read.