Lottery
by Patricia Wood (Goodreads author!)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 498)
Read in May, 2007
Perry L. Crandall would like you to know that he is not retarded. Retarded would be 75 on an IQ test, and he is 76. Besides, Perry takes care not only of himself, but also of his Gran, a crusty, no-nonsense woman who loves him for who he is and lets him shine his light through his own accomplishments. (She tells him the L in his name stands for Lucky.)
Perry describes his life in simple and succinct sentences that manage to be full of wonder and surprise. As he speaks, we see all too clearly ...more
Perry describes his life in simple and succinct sentences that manage to be full of wonder and surprise. As he speaks, we see all too clearly ...more
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Read in July, 2008
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this review, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally.)
So what do you think -- do you think it's okay for a book reviewer to occasionally recuse themselves from reviewing certain books for ethical reasons, kind of like how judges sometimes do it during certain trials? Because I have to admit, I originally wanted to pick up Patricia Wood's Lottery ...more
So what do you think -- do you think it's okay for a book reviewer to occasionally recuse themselves from reviewing certain books for ethical reasons, kind of like how judges sometimes do it during certain trials? Because I have to admit, I originally wanted to pick up Patricia Wood's Lottery ...more
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Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone over about 14 due to explicit sex and LOTS of swearing
Throughout the first quarter or so of the book, I thought it was going to be just another lightweight, insipid story about the triumph of the underdog. Well, it is kind of about the triumph of the underdog. It is about the triumph of the human spirit. And it really is about what really constitutes intelligence. And how great a part does our intelligence play in making us the best humans we can be.
I was worried that it would just be another "don't judge a book by it's cover" par...more
I was worried that it would just be another "don't judge a book by it's cover" par...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone interested in differently abled people, or anyone who likes a satisfying story
I really enjoyed this story of a developmentally disabled man (Perry) who lives in Everett, WA, working at a boating supply store and living with his "gram." His parents abandoned him as a baby and his grandparents raised him.
His beloved gram dies, and he's on his own. He has a small circle of friends and coworkers, but no support from his blood-sucking family members. Then he wins the lottery. Suddenly everyone comes out of the woodwork, wants to be his friend, and needs his help...more
His beloved gram dies, and he's on his own. He has a small circle of friends and coworkers, but no support from his blood-sucking family members. Then he wins the lottery. Suddenly everyone comes out of the woodwork, wants to be his friend, and needs his help...more
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Read in August, 2008
This is part review and part commentary about the other reviews here. Many readers compare Lottery to Forest Gump. Besides the main characters having a low IQ in common, the stories are not similar at all. Forest Gump was purposely absurd and mocked Forest’s disability, while Lottery, in my opinion, tells a genuine and believable story in a way that is respectful to Perry’s shortcomings.
At least one reader said “I freaking despise ‘Retard with a heart of gold’ stories” but rea...more
At least one reader said “I freaking despise ‘Retard with a heart of gold’ stories” but rea...more
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Read in August, 2008
Perry L. Crandall is not retarded, he's just slow. You have to have an IQ of 70, or even 75, to be retarded, and Perry's IQ is 76. He was raised by his grandparents because his father was unavailable and his mother couldn't be bothered. He learns 5 words every morning at breakfast, and has no trouble remembering, but a very hard time not forgetting, so he keeps a list of the things that he must not forget. He lives in Everett Washington and works at the boat supply store that his grandfather use...more
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I just finished reading LOTTERY! I was thinking of three writers as I was reading it: Charles Dickens and Annie Proulx and John Irving. I was thinking of Annie Proulx and John Irving, because the language of the characters is so real and honest, and yet there is something unreal about them as well--not in a bad way, of course! And that's where Dickens comes in, I think. Ms. Wood's characters seem to be completely evil or completely good as are Dicken's characters, for the most part. The only exc...more
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Read in March, 2008
Perry L. Crandall (L. stands for lucky) would like you to know that he is not retarded he is just slow. Retarded would be 75 on an IQ test, and he is 76. Besides, Perry takes care not only of himself, but also of his Gram who is always giving him words of advice and encouragement. His mother abandons him and his brothers want nothing to do with him because he is retarded.
After Gram dies three strangers prove to be more valuable than family. Gary, the owner of Holsted's Marine Supply who ha...more
After Gram dies three strangers prove to be more valuable than family. Gary, the owner of Holsted's Marine Supply who ha...more
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Read in July, 2008
I looooved this book. It is the story of Perry L. Crandall (his Gram tells him the L stands for "lucky"), who is NOT retarded. His IQ is 76 and in order to be classified as retarded, it must be 75 or below. For some reason, I really enjoy books from an autistic / mentally challenged perspective. This was a super quick read - I finished it within 24 hours.
Perry's Gram taught him everything. One of those things was to play the lottery. After Gram dies, Perry wins $12 million. All of ...more
Perry's Gram taught him everything. One of those things was to play the lottery. After Gram dies, Perry wins $12 million. All of ...more
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Read in October, 2007
Thirty-two year old Perry L. Crandall is not retarded, to be retarded your IQ must be 75 or lower and Perry’s IQ is 76. Perry’s grandmother always tells him that the L stands for lucky. His grandmother, who has raised him since he was a baby, is always teaching him things. She instructs him on bettering himself by making him work through the dictionary, learning to cook, and explaining to him the types of people he can’t trust. Perry is very happy with his life and his routines: learn...more
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Read in June, 2008
Loved it, loved it, loved it. Made me laugh out loud as well as stew with anger. The main character is so likable and the supporting cast of characters are so real. Perry, a very likable Forest Gump type character, wins the Washington State lottery and this book tells the story of how his life changes after he wins. The words of advice from his grandmother, who raised him, are absolutely hilarious but so totally right on. She has got to be my favorite voice in the story. This book will mak...more
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I picked this book up on my flight to Alaska, and I read it from cover to cover! I hadn’t done that in a long time, so I guess I should say that I didn’t hate it enough to not continue. It was lighthearted, endearing and sweet. I loved how easy it was to read, and you fell in love with the main character right away. Since he was borderline “mentally retarded”, you really felt like his honest opinions were so funny yet true. For example, he calls cynism “honesty told in a mean way”...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Marva by:
The authorrecommends it for: Anybody
I interviewed Pat just before Lottery was released. She's a neat lady and also as lucky as her main character. Perry is not retarded; he's just slow. He's also very lucky in that he wins the lottery.
Then, again, just how lucky can you be to suddenly have a backstabbing, greedy bunch of relatives who never acknowledged your existence all of the sudden want to be your best friend.
Perry is lucky in that he finds out who is real friends are and ends up being a most happy fella.
A sweet...more
Then, again, just how lucky can you be to suddenly have a backstabbing, greedy bunch of relatives who never acknowledged your existence all of the sudden want to be your best friend.
Perry is lucky in that he finds out who is real friends are and ends up being a most happy fella.
A sweet...more
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Read in August, 2007
Forrest Gump wins the lottery. A pleasant feel-good book that made for a nice diversion among more serious books. Fast read, not very deep. Will probably be a nice Christmas time movie release in a couple of years.
I found an advance manuscript copy at a local library sale that included eight pages of author interviews at the end of the book...hopefully these aren't in the edition that will be sold in bookstores, as it really goes out of the way to beat the author's themes into the reade...more
I found an advance manuscript copy at a local library sale that included eight pages of author interviews at the end of the book...hopefully these aren't in the edition that will be sold in bookstores, as it really goes out of the way to beat the author's themes into the reade...more
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Read in November, 2007
I found the characters, particularly Perry L. Crandall to be quite endearing. I wanted to see him succeed against the greatest odds of his scheming, money-grubbing family who wanted nothing to do with him until he won the Washington State lottery and his best friend, a PTSD Vietnam vet who keeps a lid on the horrors he's seen by drinking and Cherry, the girl he has a crush on who works at the Quick Mart where he buys sandwiches just so he can talk to her and of course, his grandmother who taught...more
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Read in July, 2008
This novel discusses a somewhat unusual topic: rights of the mentally disabled. Having a good amount of personal experience in this area, the disabled main character is very believable. I know people like Perry. I like that the author discusses some of the difficulties that generally surround mentally disabled adults, but it is not done in a preachy way. I think people with little experience in this area would be surprised by what someone with a mental disability wants out of life. This book is ...more
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Read in July, 2008
I enjoyed this book, except for the language and crude parts. Those things ruined it for me, unfortunately. Otherwise it is a charming book about a mentally handcapped man who wins the lottery. What I really enjoyed about the book is that it is in HIS point of view. So you get to see the world through his eyes. Such as:
" I am thirty-two years old and I am not retarded. You have to have an IQ number less than 75 to be retarded. I read that in Reader's Digest. I am not. Mine is 76...more
" I am thirty-two years old and I am not retarded. You have to have an IQ number less than 75 to be retarded. I read that in Reader's Digest. I am not. Mine is 76...more
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Read in August, 2007
Perry has an IQ of 76. Abandoned by his parents shortly after birth, he is raised by his grandmother who teaches him everything she can. She is a wise woman and he learns well under her tutelage. Although he has 3 brothers, none want anything to do with him or his grandmother until he wins $10 million in the lottery. Then, they won't leave him alone. The book is a little like "Forrest Gump", in that this young man who thinks and speaks slowly and doesn't always understand what peop...more
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Read in February, 2008
I grabbed this book knowing nothing about it and checked it out from my library after reading the book jacket. It was a delightful, moving story told from the point of view of a mentally slow man named Perry. He's not retarded, as his IQ is one point above the demarcation line.
He lives with his Gram who educates him and he works at the local boating supply store. He wins $12 million in the Washington State Lottery.
His descriptions of things and thoughts on life are sad and funny and will hav...more
He lives with his Gram who educates him and he works at the local boating supply store. He wins $12 million in the Washington State Lottery.
His descriptions of things and thoughts on life are sad and funny and will hav...more
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Wonderfully charming book... beautiful in its simplicity and poignancy. It is a quick read and the prose is (appropriately) simple as it is told through the viewpoint of a man with an IQ of 76. If you want a book that tugs at your heart and you can read in a couple of hours, then this is a great one. There are also many laugh-out-loud funny moments. I instantly fell in love with Perry, Gram, Keith, Cherry, and Gary.
My only hesitation is whether I like the way it ended... Part of me does, and...more
My only hesitation is whether I like the way it ended... Part of me does, and...more
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