Book Review - Lottery by Patricia Wood

Anyone looking for something to read? I recommend Lottery by Patricia Wood.

I actually started hearing about this book before it came out from an announcement on Agent Miss Snark's blog (sadly she has retired her site). Ms. Wood was a former devotee of the Snarkmeister. I thought about reading it then, but recent book reviews on other blogs reminded me, so I bought it a few weeks ago. I read it straight through.

Perry Crandall, I.Q. 76, (which means he is one point above legally retarded, as he frequently reminds us) wins the lottery and deals with how his family and friends change - as well as how he changes - as a result.

I have a few nits to pick. There doesn't seem to be one redeemable human being among Perry's maternal relatives - you'd think at least one might be somewhat decent. But no.

The other is part of the ending - how Perry and Cherry's relationship ends up and why. It went down like peanut butter and dry crackers - not well.

But aside from that, I loved hearing about the world from Perry's point of view and especially his use of his dictionary words to process what's happening in his world. Grams has had him studying the dictionary since he was little, and his words of the day are often ironic in the context of the story. (Grams is a great character too, and though she dies early in the novel, she's very much present throughout the rest of the book).

The decision Perry makes at the end about his money could have been sugar and spice sweet, but because we've followed him through the book and hear how he changes, it makes a cliche into something authentic. I believe in Perry and his decision at the end.

It's a great read, and I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to Perry. I think you'll feel the same way.

This review is not sponsored by anyone - just sharing a great read.

Be Amazon's Next Breakthrough Author Contest

Amazon is sponsoring a Breakthrough Novel Award Contest. Enter your manuscript by November 5, 2007, but do it quickly. Only 5,000 novels will be accepted.

A panel of Amazon editors and reviewers will select the semi-finalists, who each get a Publisher's Weekly Review and a page on Amazon with an excerpt of their novel.

Based on customer feedback, Penguin will look at some semi-finalists for possible publication. The winner gets a publishing contract with Penguin, lots of electronics goodies, and help publicizing his or her book. Those who place 2nd through 10th also get some great prizes, including the opportunity to self-publish. This whole contest is to advertise Amazon's new self-publishing division.

You'll need a blurb of your book to enter. If you have a query letter, you can probably adapt it for your book description. If I can get my manuscript polished in time, I may go for it. I'm not sure, however, if they're looking for genre or literary fiction.