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The Left and the Lucky
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26“One of America’s greatest storytellers.”—Jonathan Evison
The acclaimed Willy Vlautin returns with a heartbreaking and tender novel about two young brothers, the vicissitudes of fate, and unexpected connection—a beautiful and bittersweet portrait that illuminates the power of friendship and how it can save lives in multiple ways.
Eddie Wilkens is a workaholic house painter in his early forties. His wife has left him to her regret, and his main employee, Houston, is a loafer and scoundrel who barely shows up for work. Unassuming and self-reliant, Eddie is a thoughtful man who rarely gets angry, despite life's frequent provocations, but he is ruled by a guilt that he has carried for nearly twenty years.
Next door, a woman and her two sons move in with her frail and aging mother. The youngest boy, Russell, eight years old, is quiet and small for his age and lives in constant terror of his increasingly lost and troubled fifteen-year-old brother, Curtis. As their mother struggles to keep the family together and the grandmother’s health begins to falter they find themselves unable to protect Russell and themselves from Curtis’s cruelty, which threatens to explode in frenetic violence.
Though neither knows it, Russell and Eddie will become each other’s saving grace.
While Russell’s home life disintegrates he begins waiting in Eddie’s backyard for him to get off work. Eddie offers the boy small acts of he feeds him, gives him jobs to do, listens to his dreams of escape, and offers Russell a glimpse into a world of hope and humor. A world of misfit painters, a derelict muscle car, an old dog, and the comradery and companionship of Eddie and his crew. In return, Russell gives Eddie a reason to carry on and helps him lay to rest the guilt that has plagued him for half of his life.
Together, this makeshift father and son begin to build a better life, daring to trade the bleakness and cynicism around them for hope and friendship.
From a writer revered for his thoughtful and compassionate portrayal of realistic American life, The Left and the Lucky is a heartbreakingly honest examination of how circumstance shapes our lives, and how the luck of finding someone who needs us can transcend bitter loneliness and prevent us from giving up on dreaming of a better life.
The acclaimed Willy Vlautin returns with a heartbreaking and tender novel about two young brothers, the vicissitudes of fate, and unexpected connection—a beautiful and bittersweet portrait that illuminates the power of friendship and how it can save lives in multiple ways.
Eddie Wilkens is a workaholic house painter in his early forties. His wife has left him to her regret, and his main employee, Houston, is a loafer and scoundrel who barely shows up for work. Unassuming and self-reliant, Eddie is a thoughtful man who rarely gets angry, despite life's frequent provocations, but he is ruled by a guilt that he has carried for nearly twenty years.
Next door, a woman and her two sons move in with her frail and aging mother. The youngest boy, Russell, eight years old, is quiet and small for his age and lives in constant terror of his increasingly lost and troubled fifteen-year-old brother, Curtis. As their mother struggles to keep the family together and the grandmother’s health begins to falter they find themselves unable to protect Russell and themselves from Curtis’s cruelty, which threatens to explode in frenetic violence.
Though neither knows it, Russell and Eddie will become each other’s saving grace.
While Russell’s home life disintegrates he begins waiting in Eddie’s backyard for him to get off work. Eddie offers the boy small acts of he feeds him, gives him jobs to do, listens to his dreams of escape, and offers Russell a glimpse into a world of hope and humor. A world of misfit painters, a derelict muscle car, an old dog, and the comradery and companionship of Eddie and his crew. In return, Russell gives Eddie a reason to carry on and helps him lay to rest the guilt that has plagued him for half of his life.
Together, this makeshift father and son begin to build a better life, daring to trade the bleakness and cynicism around them for hope and friendship.
From a writer revered for his thoughtful and compassionate portrayal of realistic American life, The Left and the Lucky is a heartbreakingly honest examination of how circumstance shapes our lives, and how the luck of finding someone who needs us can transcend bitter loneliness and prevent us from giving up on dreaming of a better life.
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 14, 2026
4 people are currently reading
3994 people want to read
About the author
Willy Vlautin
22 books1,134 followersWilly Vlautin (born 1967) is an American author and the lead singer and songwriter of Portland, Oregon band Richmond Fontaine. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, he has released nine studio albums since the late nineties with his band while he has written four novels: The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, and The Free.
Published in the US, several European and Asian countries, Vlautin's first book, The Motel Life was well received. It was an editor's choice in the New York Times Book Review and named one of the top 25 books of the year by the Washington Post.
His second, Northline was also critically hailed, and Vlautin was declared an important new American literary realist. Famed writer George Pelecanos stated that Northline was his favorite book of the decade. The first edition of this novel came with an original instrumental soundtrack performed by Vlautin and longtime bandmate Paul Brainard.
Vlautin's third novel, Lean on Pete, is the story of a 15-year-old boy who works and lives on a rundown race track in Portland, Oregon and befriends a failed race horse named Lean on Pete. The novel won two Oregon Book Awards: the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and the Peoples Choice Award.
As a novelist, Vlautin has cited writers such as John Steinbeck, Raymond Carver, Barry Gifford, and William Kennedy as influences. HIs writing is highly evocative of the American West; all three of his novels being set in and around Oregon, Nevada and New Mexico. His books explore the circumstances and relationships of people near the bottom of America's social and economic spectrum, itinerant, and often ailed by alcohol addiction.
Published in the US, several European and Asian countries, Vlautin's first book, The Motel Life was well received. It was an editor's choice in the New York Times Book Review and named one of the top 25 books of the year by the Washington Post.
His second, Northline was also critically hailed, and Vlautin was declared an important new American literary realist. Famed writer George Pelecanos stated that Northline was his favorite book of the decade. The first edition of this novel came with an original instrumental soundtrack performed by Vlautin and longtime bandmate Paul Brainard.
Vlautin's third novel, Lean on Pete, is the story of a 15-year-old boy who works and lives on a rundown race track in Portland, Oregon and befriends a failed race horse named Lean on Pete. The novel won two Oregon Book Awards: the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and the Peoples Choice Award.
As a novelist, Vlautin has cited writers such as John Steinbeck, Raymond Carver, Barry Gifford, and William Kennedy as influences. HIs writing is highly evocative of the American West; all three of his novels being set in and around Oregon, Nevada and New Mexico. His books explore the circumstances and relationships of people near the bottom of America's social and economic spectrum, itinerant, and often ailed by alcohol addiction.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a way to end 2025, and begin 2026 with another incredible read from one of my favourite writers.
The Left and the Lucky follows house painter Eddie, as he takes in 8-year-old Russell, struggling with his absent mother and violent older brother. The relationship that develops between them will move you in all kinds of ways - of course, it is heartwrenching in true Vlautin style, but there is also so much joy, hope and friendship in this novel that you can't help but see the world in a better light than when you started.
I have to also give mention to my other favourite character - Houston, Eddie's housepainting partner who may or may not show up to work, depending on how much booze he's had the night before. The way Eddie (and soon Russell) keep a watch over him when many would've given him up for good, is beautiful. Houston also delivers some incredible comedic moments here, making this possibly the first Vlautin novel to not only make me tear up but also laugh out loud!
The things that Russell has to endure from his brother Curtis and neglectful mother, are very harrowing, particularly in the first half of this novel. But Vlautin is always on the side of the down and outers, the ones struggling through life who can't catch a break, who made idiotic choices because it's all they know - and Curtis is no exception here. You will feel sympathetic for him as much as you hate him.
And Eddie - what can I say about sweet Eddie? A guy who seems fairly put together, loyal and dependable, who takes what life throws at him and carries on, because what else is there? But you soon realise Eddie has his own shit going on, he's just pretty good at hiding it - his wife left him for another man, and he still grieves the loss of his sister from years ago. His relationship with Russell isn't just for Russell's benefit - it's filling a very deep void in his own life too.
Once again, Vlautin has created another incredible set of characters you will find hard to leave behind. The Left and the Lucky explores the many different ways people cope with the hand that life has dealt them - some are lucky and make it through, others simply can't face another day, and then there are those left behind, forgotten.
A new favourite Willy Vlautin novel for me. How lucky we are to have him!
The Left and the Lucky follows house painter Eddie, as he takes in 8-year-old Russell, struggling with his absent mother and violent older brother. The relationship that develops between them will move you in all kinds of ways - of course, it is heartwrenching in true Vlautin style, but there is also so much joy, hope and friendship in this novel that you can't help but see the world in a better light than when you started.
I have to also give mention to my other favourite character - Houston, Eddie's housepainting partner who may or may not show up to work, depending on how much booze he's had the night before. The way Eddie (and soon Russell) keep a watch over him when many would've given him up for good, is beautiful. Houston also delivers some incredible comedic moments here, making this possibly the first Vlautin novel to not only make me tear up but also laugh out loud!
The things that Russell has to endure from his brother Curtis and neglectful mother, are very harrowing, particularly in the first half of this novel. But Vlautin is always on the side of the down and outers, the ones struggling through life who can't catch a break, who made idiotic choices because it's all they know - and Curtis is no exception here. You will feel sympathetic for him as much as you hate him.
And Eddie - what can I say about sweet Eddie? A guy who seems fairly put together, loyal and dependable, who takes what life throws at him and carries on, because what else is there? But you soon realise Eddie has his own shit going on, he's just pretty good at hiding it - his wife left him for another man, and he still grieves the loss of his sister from years ago. His relationship with Russell isn't just for Russell's benefit - it's filling a very deep void in his own life too.
Once again, Vlautin has created another incredible set of characters you will find hard to leave behind. The Left and the Lucky explores the many different ways people cope with the hand that life has dealt them - some are lucky and make it through, others simply can't face another day, and then there are those left behind, forgotten.
A new favourite Willy Vlautin novel for me. How lucky we are to have him!
November 8, 2025
Eddie and Russell will be with me from here on out. The story is all about how being wounded is not always an impediment to finding our best selves -- unless it is. The left are those who can't find a way to live with their wounds; the lucky are those who do find a way. What works for Eddie and Russell is found family. Other characters don't fare as well, since this is a novel set in the real world, and there is a glint of sympathy for them. Intention matters, though, and what we find growing between the house painter and the boy has everything to do with each bringing their best to the table. It extends on to the small crew of painters Eddie employs -- hilarious characters who had me laughing throughout. What stands at the end is a tale of tenderness and care in a world that can be unfriendly and violent. Vlautin also makes great use of Portland, Oregon, as the setting. This is already one of my favorite novels.
November 6, 2025
What a beautiful novel with themes of friendship, life circumstances, and midlife happenings. The theme of guilt also plays heavily into Eddie’s life which makes him very relatable. All of the characters were fascinating and well developed and it feels like I really got to know them. There’s another beautiful theme of found family and friendship that plays out on the pages and really tugged at my heart. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A house painter with a huge heart and a modest bank account offers a little boy the only safety net he has ever known. Eddie is next door neighbor to an elderly woman who has just taken in her single mom daughter raising an unruly teenage boy and a small eight year old boy. Grandma does her best to protect Russell from his abusive older brother but it is not enough so Russell begins wandering the streets and hanging out at Eddie's next door. Soon those visits last longer and become more frequent and Eddie is feeding and caring for Russell. Eddie has a soft spot for lost causes and attempts to save everyone from his addicted ex-wife to his alcoholic painting partner to a classic car that no one expects to run. He gives Russell unconditional love and Russell responds by trying to be Eddie's right hand man doing chores, and trying to keep the sometimes unreliable painters in line- anything he can to give back. This is what Willy Vlautin does so well - showcasing broken souls who just don't know how to stop caring about those less fortunate than they are. His writing is deep and truthful and my faith in humanity is restored after reading how a simple act of kindness and friendship can change a life forever.
Willy's many fans will love this story as will fans of Fredrik Backman's lovable misfits and Tana French's THE HUNTER. This is my favorite story to date. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Willy's many fans will love this story as will fans of Fredrik Backman's lovable misfits and Tana French's THE HUNTER. This is my favorite story to date. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This might Vlautin at his most tender — which, as often with Willy’s novels, means we travel a rough road to get there. It serves as a reminder that good people and mean people live right next door to each other, sometimes even in the same house. For these characters, you’re never quite sure who the day might end well for. Downtrodden, hopeless but loyal, the sparse, dialogue-led text allows the reader to fill in the spaces around the backstory — a lesson in writing, where the imagination fills gaps where it wants; showing us and not telling us what to think. And for all the typical bleakness, there are moments of unexpected humour, which land at just the right moments. No one writes stark and raw reality as convincingly. I want to hear everything Willy Vlautin has to say. He really is one of the finest authors around.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will read anything Willy Vlautin writes! He is one of the masters of the character driven novel, and his latest, "The Left and the Lucky" proves that to be the case. The story itself is gritty and real. The characters are people you may even know in your own life. People who are mostly down and out, each with different ways of coping with the cards they've been dealt. Is this book devastating? Yes—but your heart will burst from the tender friendship between Eddie, and his 8 year old neighbor Russell. The wacky wit of Eddie's sidekick, Houston, is sure to make you chuckle, and put a smile on your face. Vlautin's novel is tender, deep, and achingly beautiful—his dialogue, as always, the best!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for allowing me to be an early reader of this book!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for allowing me to be an early reader of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
in his eighth novel, the left and the lucky, willy vlautin tells a heartrending tale of trauma and generosity. young russell’s home life is the stuff of nightmares: an abusive, violent brother, an overworked mother, and an aging, ailing grandmother — none of which leaves much room for a small, sensitive boy to feel any safety or security. when the family’s next-door neighbor, fortysomething housepainter eddie, takes russell under his wing, lives are changed forever. vlautin’s outstanding cast of lifelike characters fills the story with a realism that sometimes aches in its authenticity. with all the grittiness and blue-collar compassion of his literary forebears, vlautin remains a steadfast chronicler of the down-and-out. this one brims with hurt, hope, and humanity.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Beautiful novel! Willy Vlautin has created another incredible set of characters you will find hard to leave behind. The Left and the Lucky explores the many different ways people cope with the hand that life has dealt them - some are lucky and make it through, others simply can't face another day, and then there are those left behind, forgotten.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC of this book. The story of two friends and how they give each other some stability in their crazy lives. Vlautin's stories have great characters and being able to see how their lives change with the people around them is a great experience. I thought Russell was a little too worldly, but other than that, a solid book.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Willy Vlautin's ability to write something so straight forward and matter-of-fact while also packing an unreal amount of emotion into it all, is unparalleled. This was at times, painful to read, but so well done.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Moving and readable novel that makes you glad you picked this book.
Review of advance copy
Snagged an advance copy of Willy’s latest on eBay and it’s another great one. Has the heart of “Lean on Pete” and great characters per usual. Started this morning, finished this evening. Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Excellent story about family and finding your "family".
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another winner from Vlautin that will stomp on your heart then mend it a few pages later. More thorough review to come.
Thanks to HarperCollins for the advance reading copy.
Thanks to HarperCollins for the advance reading copy.
November 3, 2025
The Left and the Lucky is a devastating, funny, gritty, and ultimately heartwarming tale. This story of a boy from a troubled Portland family and the neighbor who takes him under his wing is deeply affecting and feels so true, I would swear I knew these characters. Another deeply moving novel from Willy Vlautin!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews