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Money isn't the same as treasure, and IQ isn't the same as smarts-An uplifting and joyous new novel hailed by Jacqueline Mitchard as 'solid gold.'
Perry L. Crandall knows what it's like to be an outsider. With an IQ of 76, he's an easy mark. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he'd need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. Most important, she taught him whom to trust-a crucial lesson for Perry when he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune, his fate, and his few true friends, he has a lesson for them: never, ever underestimate Perry Crandall.
Veteran narrator Michael brings his distinct gift for dialogue and vocal mannerisms to Wood's novel. The action centers on how winning a $12-million lottery jackpot complicates the life of 32-year-old Perry L. Crandall, the dedicated employee of a marine supply store in the harbor city of Everett, Wash. With an IQ of 76, Perry emphatically proclaims that he is "slow, not retarded!" Wood's dichotomy of Perry's impaired cognition does present some challenges for Michael, especially as the unsuspecting protagonist recounts-but does not grasp-the devious conversations among his money-grubbing relatives. The thriller elements manage to move along reasonably well, but the heart and soul of both Wood's storytelling and Michael's performance remains the exchanges between Perry and his close-knit surrogate family, including the beloved grandmother who raised him and the earthy band of characters with whom he shares the docks of Puget Sound. As Perry regularly interjects "That is so cool!" to his reflections on both the large and small joys of daily life, Michael gives the proceedings a refreshing breeze of Zen rather than garden-variety sentimentality. Simultaneous release with the Putnam hardcover (Reviews, June 4). (Sept.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business InformationBy choosing to tell the story of Perry L. Crandall, a 31-year-old man with an IQ of 76, from Perry's viewpoint and in his own voice, debut author Wood has set herself quite a challenge. Although getting used to Perry's narrative takes a bit of time, the technique ultimately succeeds. Perry's life in a small coastal town is radically changed by two events early in the novel: the death of his caretaker grandmother and his winning $12 million in the Washington State Lottery. Soon, Perry's relatives-who'd only just cheated him out of the inheritance he was due on his grandmother's death-are holding out their hands for money. Wood keeps the reader guessing as to how the story will end, and the resolution is satisfying. She meets her goal of portraying a mentally challenged person as a fully realized, functioning human being. Perry's worldview is so charming and fair that by the end, you might think he's the smartest character in the whole book [See Prepub Alert, LJ5/1/07.]
—Amy Watts
Anonymous
Posted July 9, 2008
Just as Perry could not add enough zeros on a line, I cannot add enough stars for this book! I loved it from the start and still can't stop thinking about it. I read it quickly also, and couldn't wait to get to the end. Yet, I wish it would've continued, so I could keep on reading about Perry and his (mis)adventures in winning the lottery. It is a great story and so true-to-life. As I wrote the author (and it is something I have only done once before), I told her how Perry reminded me of a family friend. The story could be about him and that's why I felt it was so real. I loved the definitions and how Perry described his world. I loved how he was devoted to Gram, to his job, to Keith and Gary and then to Cherry. Perry was a winner, with or without his lottery winnings. I laughed, cried, and read it out loud to my family at parts that I just could not keep to myself. I now passed it on to my mom and dad. Thanks, Patricia, for a wonderful book. Can't wait for your next one.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AvidreaderJD
Posted October 26, 2009
Well written. As you go through life, you can well imagine what others may be facing and how they might handle a situation differently.
Definitely shows a another side of life. Makes a person far more kind and considerate.
Loved this book and highly recommend to friends.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is so special so heart warming it is the story of a young man who is slow in his thinking, with so much honesty and love in his heart. His whole family is so full of greed and not honest at all and cruel. His grandmother raised him and gave him many wonderful gifts to how life really is and how people can not be trusted. He wins the lottery and you can read how everyone wants his money and how everyone looks at him differently, just because of his winnings, but he teaches them all a lesson.His honesty and naive ways win over everything it is a wonderful book of life, I hope Patricia Wood writes another book soon I really enjoyed this book so very much I had such a good feeling when I finished reading this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 17, 2009
Wonderful insightful treatment of people who have many challenges. Uplifting treatment of lots of difficult topics. Recommend this especially for teachers and others who deal with people who are so-called "mentally challenged or developmentally delayed". Author has great insights and the plot was well constructed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 22, 2009
The author's training and vocation certainly shows in her character portrayals. It's obvious she knows from where she speaks.
Perry, the protagonist is a wonderful character, and it was interesting to me to see how his mind worked - his reasoning.
This is a good-hearted book, though that doesn't mean there aren't some "villains."
I enjoyed this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.kjenne
Posted July 28, 2009
This book had surprisingly well defined characters as seen through the eyes of the main character, Perry. It was easy to care about Perry, his buddy Keith and his grandmother as well as dislike his cousin-brothers and mother. The story of a "slow" person winning the lottery and how he was treated before and after he won, was original and stayed with you long after reading the book. This was a very enjoyable story and a great book to pass along to a friend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 1, 2008
a letter to the author - best book I've read in a long time. Can't miss this one! Hi Patricia, Please add me to your email list, and please accept a huge thank you from me for your book! I just finished Lottery last night 'read it all in one sitting ¿ couldn¿t put it down!' and was so amazed at how you created the characters so vividly that they just seemed like they could walk off the page. Please, please, please keep writing ¿ I can¿t WAIT for your next book. Thank you for your amazing talent ¿ I love that there are people out there like you sharing your words with the world. I¿d actually love to see a sequel so we can find out more about Perry and Cherry ¿ what a truly heart-lifting and heart-breaking story you wove. Even though it¿s fiction, it gives me hope for this crazy mixed up world we live in. You broke it down to the simplest message of all: if we can stay connected with our family and friends we can make it through anything. And we can make ¿family¿ out of anyone 'something I keep very close to my heart and my life'. Thanks again, from a fan for life who is looking forward to many more books from you ¿ and know that I¿ll be telling all of my friends about your book 'we are a tight-knit group of voracious readers who love to find new and talented authors like you'. All the best, and thank you again - what a lucky find for me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 2, 2007
An absolute gem. The characters jump off the page and the story rivets from Perry's humble beginning to his surprising and triumphant end. This one is all-quality--Tuesdays with Morrie by way of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Deserves to be a huge bestseller.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is a must read, charactors are fun and believable, you'll laugh love and cry then love again!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 22, 2011
I loved this book! It's one of the best I've ever read. Patricia Woods is an excellent writer and on my list of favorites.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.TLHART
Posted June 8, 2011
Only three books have made me cry, this is one of them. Patricia Wood's an amazing writer, I look forward to her next book.
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Posted January 1, 2011
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Lottery is about Perry L. Crandall, a thirty-two year old with an IQ of 76. His feisty but wise grandmother, better known as Gram, always told him that the 'L' in his name stood for Lucky. Gram taught Perry important life-lessons about whom he could trust and those he shouldn't and couldn't trust, and those he should listen to and those he shouldn't. She also taught him the importance of learning words and their meanings and to write everything down because writing helped him to remember.
At the unexpected passing of Gram, his 'long-absent' mother, brothers and their wives, took advantage of Perry's naiveté and IQ and cheated him out of his rightful inheritance of everything Gram had owned. While they took everything of value, Perry only received five hundred dollars from the sale of Gram's house. He heard Gram's cautious voice in his head, "Be careful, Perry." His best friend, Keith, found him an apartment to rent above Holstead's Marine Supply where he and Keith both worked.
Perry, found out that what his Gram has told him was true, the 'L' did stand for lucky--he won the Washington State Lottery of twelve million dollars. His relatives did about everything they could to trick and weasel Perry out of his lottery winnings. Just about anyone who heard about Perry winning the lottery, from near or far, had their sob story and hand out. Does Perry lose his millions to his relatives? What does he do with his money? You'll have to read it to find out!
I was taken with Perry's wisdom, compassion, and loyalty. Lottery is full of charm and humor. It is a love story; it is uplifting and endearing. It is a must read!
Patricia Wood, I'm waiting for your next book!
Quick read with a great story line and lovable characters. You will run through every emotion and walk away feeling good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.For any readers out there whose lives are touched by special needs people, and who are tired of all of the pity that is bestowed by the general public upon anyone with unique circumstances to deal with in life, this is a truly marvelous book. The main charecter describes himself as 'slow', and the grandmother who raises him does an incredible job teaching him to NEVER feel sorry for himself, and never feel bad about not being as 'fast' as other people. The author also did a great job in depicting all of the ways that people in general treat you differently if they think of you as 'retarded'. I LOVE this book. It's about a bright man who is very lucky and knows it-what a refreshing change from the standard literary viewpoint of "poor so and so's mentally challenged, isn't that SAD ?" Nope, not at all, and this author really gets that.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WHAT A WONDERFUL BOOK, filled with colorful characters and unusual situations, all set in place by an innocent individual who against all odds is motivated by simple love, respect, and a unique understanding of what truly matters in life. The story is filled with lessons to ponder long after the book is completed. It is both educational and an eye-opener to a world most of us do not understand, nor appreciate. All the time I enjoyed reading this story, I kept visualizing it as a fantastic, family-friendly and educational movie with lessons from which we could all benefit. It reminded me so much of "The Rainman" and the recently released "Blindside." I hope someone out there is searching for winning movie material. HERE IT IS!! Excellent job, Patricia Wood!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Of all the themes that this book had, I think the fact that the main charachter believed in himself made him successful. Even when the world had already counted him out. The story is tragic and uplifting. It is about famliy- and not really in a traditional way. It was refreshing- certainly differnt than any thing else I have read lately.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I finished reading Lottery 2 months ago. I keep the book on my nightstand so I can be reminded of the warm, cozy feeling while reading it. The characters were so well developed, I felt I was part of their family. Many dysfunctional characters made the book quite funny at times and then very sad on some points.
Definitely enjoyable read!
ltSD
Posted November 11, 2009
Heartwarming story with well developed characters. Can't wait to read her next book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 24, 2009
I loved this book so much I recommended it for our book group. Truly, everyone should read how this wise man felt about everyday life. He is truly remarkable and really makes you think about "not sweating the small stuff". Would like to buy this book for everyone who has ever wanted to simplify their lives.
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Overview
Money isn't the same as treasure, and IQ isn't the same as smarts-An uplifting and joyous new novel hailed by Jacqueline Mitchard as 'solid gold.'
Perry L. Crandall knows what it's like to be an outsider. With an IQ of 76, he's an easy mark. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he'd need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. Most important, she taught him whom to trust-a crucial lesson for Perry when he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune, his fate, and his few true friends, he has a lesson for them: never, ever underestimate Perry ...