This is the story of Perry L. Crandall, who knows two things. First, that he is not retarded because his IQ (76) is one point higher than the official definition. Second, his Gram told him the "L" stood for lucky, and that must be true because he's won $12 million in the State Lottery.

This is a light read. The plot is largely unsurprising, and the characters are all either good or bad. No shades of gray, no conflicting motives. However, Perry's voice remains strong and credible brings a redeeming aspect to the book. ( )

Absolutely loved this book, couldn't stop. I was listening on CD's, kept finding the long way home and then sitting in my car to listen some more. The ending is not what you expect. ( )

Patricia Wood’s novel of how a slow, but not retarded, young man winning a large lottery prize affects his family and friends is evidence that a very simple story with black and white characters can still resonate if the voices of the characters ring true. Perhaps it’s Wood’s background in education and disabilities or her father’s experience with winning the Washington State Lottery, but she manages to create a moving story despite predictability of plot and overly simplistic characterizations. ( )

"Lottery" is about Perry L. Crandall. He is certain that he is lucky (his Gram always tells him the "L." stand for lucky) and he knows he is not retarded - just slow. You have to be 75 to be retarded and he is 76.
Perry has a family (Gramp and Gram, although Gramp is dead when the book starts); he has a good friend Keith; he has a job. He is indeed lucky.
When Gram dies he has to move out of the house he shared with her. But then he wins the lottery and suddenly people look him in the eye, they pay attention to what he says, they touch him for luck. It doesn't really change him, but it changes the way others see him, and sometimes that is more than he can handle.
It is Perry who narrates his story; we are drawn to him through his honest and simple view of the world. The book is funny; sad, maddening and eye-opening. It is ultimately a feel good book and the ending is just right. Highly recommended.

Our book club has a new favorite! We spent two hours discussing Lottery and picking out our favorite lines to read aloud. It was an evening filled with tears and laughter. The characters are so real that we could all relate to at least one of them. Having the story told from Perry’s point of view added depth and insight. I found myself envying his simplistic way of seeing the world. To not feel the anger and bitterness that I felt toward his family would be a blessing. As a first novel, this will be hard to beat, but I hope Patricia Wood gives it a try. ( )