From Publishers Weekly
Veteran narrator Michael brings his distinct gift for dialogue and vocal mannerisms to Wood's novel. The action centers on how winning a $12-million lottery jackpot complicates the life of 32-year-old Perry L. Crandall, the dedicated employee of a marine supply store in the harbor city of Everett, Wash. With an IQ of 76, Perry emphatically proclaims that he is slow, not retarded! Wood's dichotomy of Perry's impaired cognition does present some challenges for Michael, especially as the unsuspecting protagonist recounts—but does not grasp—the devious conversations among his money-grubbing relatives. The thriller elements manage to move along reasonably well, but the heart and soul of both Wood's storytelling and Michael's performance remains the exchanges between Perry and his close-knit surrogate family, including the beloved grandmother who raised him and the earthy band of characters with whom he shares the docks of Puget Sound. As Perry regularly interjects That is so cool! to his reflections on both the large and small joys of daily life, Michael gives the proceedings a refreshing breeze of Zen rather than garden-variety sentimentality.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Money isn?t the same as treasure, and IQ isn?t the same as smarts?An uplifting and joyous new novel hailed by Jacqueline Mitchard as ?solid gold.?
Perry L. Crandall knows what it?s like to be an outsider. With an IQ of 76, he?s an easy mark. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he?d need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. Most important, she taught him whom to trust?a crucial lesson for Perry when he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune, his fate, and his few true friends, he has a lesson for them: never, ever underestimate Perry Crandall.
Perry L. Crandall knows what it?s like to be an outsider. With an IQ of 76, he?s an easy mark. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he?d need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. Most important, she taught him whom to trust?a crucial lesson for Perry when he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune, his fate, and his few true friends, he has a lesson for them: never, ever underestimate Perry Crandall.
About the Author
Patricia Wood is a Ph.D. student at the University of Hawaii, focusing on education, disability, and diversity. Lottery is inspired by her work, as well as a number of events in her life, including her father’s winning the Washington State Lottery. She lives with her husband aboard a sailboat moored in Ko’Olina, Hawaii. This is her first novel.
From AudioFile
As Perry L. Crandall tells us, his IQ may be 76, but he is not retarded. In fact, he has a job and lives well and happily with his Gran. Then, in quick succession, Gran dies, and Perry wins $12 million in the Washington State Lottery. Somehow, Perry must cope. Pacing his reading so that we hear the deliberation of Perrys speech, Paul Michael offers up a complex portrait of a stubborn, simple everyman. He also does well with the other characters, choosing to evoke personality rather than create radically different voices. The writing is sweet, but Michaels robust voice keeps sappiness at bay and creates an emotional listening experience. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
