Lottery

By: Patricia Wood

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Perry's IQ is only 76, but he's not stupid. His grandmother taught him everything he needs to know to survive: she taught him to write things down so he won't forget them. She taught him to play the lottery every week. And, most important, she taught him whom to trust.

When Gram dies, Perry is left orphaned and bereft at the age of 31. Then his weekly Washington State Lottery ticket wins him 12 million dollars, and he finds he has more family than he knows what to do with.

Peopled with characters both wicked and heroic, Lottery is a deeply satisfying, gorgeously rendered novel about trust, loyalty, and what distinguishes us as capable.

©2007 Patricia Wood (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. and Books on Tape. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Wood's light humor and likable narrator...have mass appeal." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great story - about 15 chapters longer than necessary

We really enjoyed listening to this...until he won the lottery, then things slowed down and got far too detailed. This would've been a knockout win with more solid editing.

Charming

I tend to be a bit too cynical for most "feel good" books. This one could have gone that direction, but the characters are too fleshed out to fall victim to an easy categorization like that. I missed the characters when the book ended and immediately started to listen to it again. The author has accomplished something significant with her ability to create sympathetic characters.

This narrator is first rate. He gives the characters such a distinctive voice without falling prey to gimmicks. Terrific listen. This book has made many dog walks much more enjoyable.

A Fun Read

Lottery is a light, fun read. Not a story to be taken too seriously - the story focuses on a mildly mentally retarded young adult who wins the Washington State lottery. Not surprisingly, his relationships with everyone in his life change. Interesting characters are developed and the story has a few unexpected twists. Although I enjoyed the story, and had a few laugh out loud moments, by the end of it I was glad to be finished. I must admit that in the 2+ months since I listened to the story, I have not thought about it.

Lottery

Enjoyable. Funny. Characters that leave you wanting to know how they're doing now.

a cute read

The book is cute... and acute - the way words and phrases are repeated is a literary devise of some form I suppose, but it gets a bit tiresome. I almost ditched the book after the first hour due to the monotone narration and repetitive dialog. I kept listening and it turned out to be an entertaining book in the end. The characters gain depth as the book progresses, which I wasn't sure would happen. It does make you think about what things have "value" in your life. As expected, the low IQ of the main character does not mean he has low "life wisdom." A sort of "out of the mouth's of babes" book.

Interesting & easy listening.

This was a very easy book to understand and hear. It describes a life most of us do not get an opportunity to be close to. I loved it.

Don't miss this book!

Really enjoyed this book....made me reflect on my own thoughts regarding persons with disability. The book made me laugh & cry.
Recommend it highly.

lottery

very enjoyable and insightful. it'll also make you think about what is really important to make anyone happy. one of the best books released in a long time.

A Gem

First let me say that I really enjoy this narrator. He also read Life of Pi which was another great book. This book to me is as good or better. You get involved with the people and care about them. That is unusual for me. I could not help but care and want to jump in and straighten some people out. I highly recommend this book. It is well worth the credit.

sweet & hopeful

I loved this book. Perry, Keith and Gary remind the reader of the goodness of human beings. The narrator is excellent. I still hear Perry, Gram and Keith in my head days after finishing this delightful, hopeful novel.