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Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story
by
Wally Lamb
With his latest story, WISHIN′ AND HOPIN′, Wally Lamb takes a turn toward the lighthearted and laugh-provoking. In a vein similar to Jean Shepherd′s A Christmas Story and David Sedaris′s The Santaland Diaries, Lamb′s holiday tale focuses on a feisty parochial school fifth grader named Felix Funicello--a distant cousin of the iconic Annette Both poignant and hilarious, WIS
...moreHardcover, 275 pages
Published
November 1st 2009
by Harper
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I wasn't sure what to expect of this book when I started, but certainly not the story I got. The title describes this as a Christmas story but there was hardly anything 'Christmasy' about it till the last third of the book. I didn't really think it was funny, just one part towards the end. I was given alot of 1960s references - songs, personalities, slang, etc. - almost too much. And the dialogue with the Russian student was just too complicated and time-consuming to read through at times.
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Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
3***
This story takes place from October to December, 1964 in New London, Connecticut. Felix Funicello is a distant cousin of famous Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Her posters are prominently displayed in his family’s lunch counter at the bus station. Felix is in 5th grade at St Aloysius Gonzaga parochial school, where he vies for #1 student status with Rosalie Twerski, and is best friends with Lonny Flood, who, having been “kept back” twice is...more
3***
This story takes place from October to December, 1964 in New London, Connecticut. Felix Funicello is a distant cousin of famous Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Her posters are prominently displayed in his family’s lunch counter at the bus station. Felix is in 5th grade at St Aloysius Gonzaga parochial school, where he vies for #1 student status with Rosalie Twerski, and is best friends with Lonny Flood, who, having been “kept back” twice is...more
It must be an age thing but the older I get the more nostalgic I become and the more books like Wally Lamb's Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story appeal to me.
This little saga takes the reader back to the 60's when kids were really kids (and not little zombies tied by the "electronic umbilical cord" to either, their cell phone, computer, or i-pod). They went to school, were fearful of their teachers (instead of visa-versa), had no "rights" (except to learn the a...more
This little saga takes the reader back to the 60's when kids were really kids (and not little zombies tied by the "electronic umbilical cord" to either, their cell phone, computer, or i-pod). They went to school, were fearful of their teachers (instead of visa-versa), had no "rights" (except to learn the a...more
Felix Funicello’s family owns the lunch counter at the local bus station and their claim to fame is that Annette Funicello is their cousin. Felix is in the fifth grade at St. Aloysius Gonzago Parochial School. At the beginning of the school year Sister Dymphna, his teacher, has a breakdown of sorts and is replaced by a lay teacher, the glamorous Madame Marguerite. The classroom is full of characters typical of an elementary school and the school year progresses much like a normal year – mostl...more
Well we all know how much I love Wally Lamb. I really, really wanted to love this book. If it is meant to be a Christmas book, it should have some major holiday feel good at the end and it did not. It reminded me of a male Judy Blume book since it is told from the perspective of a 5th grade boy. It was easy to read and the characters were lovable even with their quirkiness and flaws. (but it is my favorite author and it took me almost 2 weeks to read 225 pages..).
He has lots of ...more
He has lots of ...more
This was like a combination of "A Christmas Story" (you know--the one with the leg lamp) and a book I read in about the third grade called "The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever." It's meant to make you feel nostalgic for a different era, and see how much more quirky and loveable people used to be--like nuns, and people who worked at lunch counters or participated in bake-offs. This didn't work for me, but in it's defense, I can say most holiday pieces don't. I did enjoy the en...more
This is a most wonderful book...he nailed the Catholic School experience in the 60's but then it could be any school as my husband asked, half way through the audio book: "Who are these people? I don't recognize the names but I feel like I went to school with them!" Everything is wrapped up neatly and completely but no sappiness, just life, funny and touching and real! Read by the author too, and very well done.
First, I must admit, I'm not a Lamb fan. But I was told this book was not his normal fare, so I thought I might like it. I slogged through it, hoping the series of slapped together 1960s vignettes (can you say Pillsbury Bake off and Mickey Mouse Club?) and bits of fifth grade boy humor would pick up, but no such luck. Unlike A Christmas Story, to which I've seen this compared, Lamb's book never captures the feel of the decade. Felix, our young Catholic school hero, reminds me of those kids on th...more
About:
In Wally Lamb's Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story, fifth grader Felix Funicello takes us back in time to 1964. Felix is the distant cousin of America's Sweetheart back then, Annette Funicello, of the original Mickey Mouse Club. Felix's family owns a small diner, and Annette's posters grace the walls, there is even an ice cream dish named after her.
Felix attends parochial school and most of the story revolves around his school life and his fellow classmates and teachers as ...more
In Wally Lamb's Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story, fifth grader Felix Funicello takes us back in time to 1964. Felix is the distant cousin of America's Sweetheart back then, Annette Funicello, of the original Mickey Mouse Club. Felix's family owns a small diner, and Annette's posters grace the walls, there is even an ice cream dish named after her.
Felix attends parochial school and most of the story revolves around his school life and his fellow classmates and teachers as ...more
I have been a fan of Wally Lamb since I read his novel, She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True. He has a way of getting into the heads of his characters and bringing them to life. He tackles serious topics, steeped in emotion and morality. I knew going in that Wishin' and Hopin' was a different sort of novel for the author, but I still eagerly anticipated reading it.
Although I have never seen the movie A Christmas Story straight through (I watched the movie out of order--second...more
Although I have never seen the movie A Christmas Story straight through (I watched the movie out of order--second...more
Welcome to the early 1960's and the life of Felix Funicello, third cousin to the Mickey Mouseketeer Annette. This is a delightful walk down memory lane when antennas perched on roofs brought black and white tv reception into houses of hard working parents who raised their children with firm rules and a swat on the backside when needed.
Harken back to The Beatles, JFK, LBJ, lunch counters that served cheeseburgers and cherry cokes, schools that contained Catholic nuns who were free with ...more
Harken back to The Beatles, JFK, LBJ, lunch counters that served cheeseburgers and cherry cokes, schools that contained Catholic nuns who were free with ...more
My beloved sister-in-law, recognizing my penchant for sentimentality, kindly gave me this book for Christmas last month. I read it in essentially one sitting during a snow storm, even though I am normally burdened as a slow reader. That I read it in one sitting is an accurate indicator of how enjoyable and engaging this book is.
For us Baby Boomers who grew up in the 1960s, this book profoundly resonates. Mr. Lamb tells the story through the principal character, Felix Funicello, a ...more
For us Baby Boomers who grew up in the 1960s, this book profoundly resonates. Mr. Lamb tells the story through the principal character, Felix Funicello, a ...more
People who think Wally Lamb is a serious writer of literary fiction will probably not like this book. People who think he's a little bit of a hack will probably think this book is pretty good. I thought it was pretty good.
Ten-year-old Felix Funicello, the second cousin once removed of Annette Funicello, is a fifth grader at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School and bears an unfortunate resemblance to the comic strip character Dondi. His best friend is Lonny, who having been left...more
Ten-year-old Felix Funicello, the second cousin once removed of Annette Funicello, is a fifth grader at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School and bears an unfortunate resemblance to the comic strip character Dondi. His best friend is Lonny, who having been left...more
Summery: It's 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he'll never forget.
LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone's turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic 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 bo...more
LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone's turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic 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 bo...more
It's an enjoyable story, but not memorable. Told through the eyes of fifth grader Felix Funicello in the 1960s, readers get a glimpse into American life at the time. We meet many of Felix's classmates, and I got a kick out of how real each kid seemed. We don't get too much on Felix's home life, but it seems to be the same as most middle-Americans at the time. I'm not sure why this is a Christmas story, unless the ending is like a "Christmas miracle" in young Felix's eyes. The title of ...more
I should preface this by stating:
1) I like Wally Lamb books a lot
2) I really like funny stories about kids that are set in pre-1980s America
I almost gave this one 4 stars because of the big smile on my face when I finished it. Wishin' and Hopin' is not a traditional "Christmas Story" per se. The title makes reference to Dusty Springfield, not some Christmas present that Felix Funicello, the narrator of this story who also happens to be a third cousin to Annette F...more
1) I like Wally Lamb books a lot
2) I really like funny stories about kids that are set in pre-1980s America
I almost gave this one 4 stars because of the big smile on my face when I finished it. Wishin' and Hopin' is not a traditional "Christmas Story" per se. The title makes reference to Dusty Springfield, not some Christmas present that Felix Funicello, the narrator of this story who also happens to be a third cousin to Annette F...more
I found the book annoying and disappointing. It's marketed as a holiday story, but there's nothing much about Christmas until the end.
Part of the problem was the writing style, which was flat with weak attempts at immature humor. The other part is that I just couldn't relate to the main character's memories of his life growing up in a Catholic school system. It just came across as bizarre rather than humorous.
Part of the problem was the writing style, which was flat with weak attempts at immature humor. The other part is that I just couldn't relate to the main character's memories of his life growing up in a Catholic school system. It just came across as bizarre rather than humorous.
I got this book and took it back to the library two days later, abandoned. I thought there was finally a Lamb book that I would like...it was short and took place at a time in our history that was near and dear to my heart. Well, it was not to be. The book is a series of "slices of life" vignettes with no discernible plot. Almost like a catalog of 60s references.
I did, however, like the green font that was used...unusual.
I did, however, like the green font that was used...unusual.
Wishin' and Hopin' was a pleasant surprise for me. After my previous Wally Lamb reading experiences (She's Come Undone and The Hour I First Believed I decided I really didn't want to read anything by Lamb again. However, a friend was reading this, and I saw from other comments that this isn't like his other work so I gave it a try. I really enjoyed the story. In my opinion it's nothing like the his other works. It was a humorous, nostalgic look at the life of a 5th grade boy in 1964, set against...more
This book was a grave disappointment to me. I have enjoyed every Wally Lamb novel and have a certain expectation of depth, mystery and wonderful character development. This book failed in all three categories. I have nothing against a short, quick read, but I still want to be entranced by the story. I not only do not give this book a thumbs up, I give it a giant raspberry as a waste of precious reading time.
Reason for Reading: Every December I drop whatever reading I'm supposed to be doing and read a Christmas book. The paperback of this came out just recently and the advertising made me choose to read it.
I quite enjoyed this nostalgic look back at a year in the 1960's life of a 10 year-old Catholic school boy. The narrator takes us back to that fifth grade year and reminisces about his family and especially his friends and days at the parochial school. Obviously, I'm always attracted t...more
I quite enjoyed this nostalgic look back at a year in the 1960's life of a 10 year-old Catholic school boy. The narrator takes us back to that fifth grade year and reminisces about his family and especially his friends and days at the parochial school. Obviously, I'm always attracted t...more
This is a humorous tale of a fifth-grade boy trying to understand himself and the world around him in the early 1960s. Narrated in the first person, Felix tells of life in parochial school, of his confused understanding of "the birds and the bees," and of a hilariously disastrous Christmas pageant.
I found this book a little hard to get into at first, but I'm really glad that I kept with it. Although this book and its main characters are fictional, real-life Mouseketeer An...more
I found this book a little hard to get into at first, but I'm really glad that I kept with it. Although this book and its main characters are fictional, real-life Mouseketeer An...more
I think Wally Lamb is one of America’s finest novelists. This short holiday-themed novel by Lamb is a departure from his usual long, serious, involved novels ("She's Come Undone", "I Know This Much Is True," and "The Hour I First Believed"), which I consider to be among the best of the last few decades. Even though this short holiday “reminiscence” novel is different from Lamb’s usual (once-a-decade) novels, the writing is his usual excellent quality, and the cha...more
On the fence on this one. The narrator was a 10 year old boy and either Lamb rushed through this or was really, really good at writing like a 10 year old. A little disjointed and a little repetitive at times.
Attending a Catholic elementary school myself, I did find the book entertaining. He nailed the stereotypical strict nuns, "cool" priest and lay teachers. (Though none of mine were as eccentric as Madame, the way she was treated by the nuns is dead on). Zheyna was a rio...more
Attending a Catholic elementary school myself, I did find the book entertaining. He nailed the stereotypical strict nuns, "cool" priest and lay teachers. (Though none of mine were as eccentric as Madame, the way she was treated by the nuns is dead on). Zheyna was a rio...more
Great story about a 5th grade Italian American boy and his experiences at parochial school during the Christmas season. Very unlike all other Wally Lamb books. No really disturbed or abused people. Just a normal family during the 1960s. It has several funny moments and the narrator sounds like the child he is supposed to be.
I really wasn't sure how this book would go, as I had two completely different expectations from it. I thought either it would be sappy and sweet, or it would be a book that had me laughing my butt off. Wishin' and Hopin' definitely fulfilled the latter expectation and then some.
Think.. A Christmas Story mixed with the Frank's story of growing up in Catholic Ireland. While Felix, the ten-year-old who is telling his own story, doesn't live in Ireland, he does live in the fantastic wo...more
Think.. A Christmas Story mixed with the Frank's story of growing up in Catholic Ireland. While Felix, the ten-year-old who is telling his own story, doesn't live in Ireland, he does live in the fantastic wo...more
Very sweet, atmospheric book. It was just what I was looking for in a holiday book. Not too saccharine. I grew up in an Italian Catholic town and the parochial school was very prominent. This echoed those times very nicely. Well worth reading.
Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb is not your typical Christmas story. In fact, there is little “typical” about it. Taking place in a Catholic school in the mid-60’s, fifth grader Felix often finds himself in the midst of the most curious of circumstances, looking for an escape route. Somewhat reminiscent of Jean Shepherd’s Ralphie, Felix finds himself in trouble through no fault of his own. Distantly related to Annette Funicello, only one of his family’s claim to fame, Felix is never one to ...more
This was a cute story, very short, and an easy read. For those who are expecting an "olde tyme" Christmas tale ala "A Christmas Story (You'll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid)" be warned that you will be disappointed. Think more "The Wonder Years" and waaay less "A Christmas Story."
For Christmas, the holiday, was not really the theme of the book, but provided the climax of the tale in the form of the school's Christmas play. Most of the action took place in ...more
For Christmas, the holiday, was not really the theme of the book, but provided the climax of the tale in the form of the school's Christmas play. Most of the action took place in ...more
I have the general belief that if a publisher spends the time and money to print a book then there must be an audience. So if I haven't enjoyed a book more than likely it's just me and the mood I'm in, not the author or the book.
That is the case with Wishin and Hopin. The story is told through the eyes of a 10 year old boy and just didn't grab me. I kept reading hoping that it would but... It's entertaining and of course well written with many LOL moments. So you see Mr Lamb, it not ...more
That is the case with Wishin and Hopin. The story is told through the eyes of a 10 year old boy and just didn't grab me. I kept reading hoping that it would but... It's entertaining and of course well written with many LOL moments. So you see Mr Lamb, it not ...more
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Wally Lamb is the author of She's Come Undone, The Hour I First Believed, and I Know This Much Is True. Two were featured as selections of Oprah's Book Club. Lamb is the recipient of the Connecticut Center for the Book's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Connecticut Bar Association's Distinguished Public Service Award, the Connecticut Governor's Art Award, the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Awar...more
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