Author: Patricia Wood

Book Review by Cos Barnes

LOTTERY is a feel-good book. Its main character, Perry L. Crandall, a 31-year-old man with an IQ of 76, repeatedly tells us he is slow, but not retarded. He urges us to re-examine our perception of intelligence. When he wins the $12 million Washington State Lottery, he proves he knows how to handle his good fortune better than most of his friends, family, or the rest of us.

Reared by a grandmother who insisted he learn his words and work on them each day, cautioned him to size up people for what they were, and to know his middle initial stood for “Lucky,” he passes these reminders on to his son, Baby Keith, by buying him blank tablets to start work on his. words. Gram’s voice is always in Perry’s ear as he tries to figure what makes people tick and what their motives are. She has instilled in him the wisdom of saving half the paycheck, which serves him well when he becomes a millionaire.

In her debut novel, Patricia Wood, whose mentor is Paul Theroux, develops her characters superbly. She works through her characters to get her message across. Perry has friends, who are particularly kind to him when his grandmother dies. He has a mother and brothers but they have no interest in him until he wins the lottery. Then they come out of the woodwork, acquaintances and family he was never aware of before. Although considered by society to be developmently disabled, Perry shines in his understanding of their selfishness and greed.

Keith, an alcoholic who is as loyal as the day is long, is good to Perry and understands his kinfolk. He never fails to respond when Perry needs something from him. Gary is his employer, and after Perry’s windfall, he continuously advises him to be careful. Perry has some good merchandising ideas which surprise Gary and the others around. He soon proves his ability to be a business partner. The love of Perry’s life is Sherry, who in turn is in love with Keith. The skillful author works it all out for the best for everyone.

At the beginning, Perry comes across as the underdog, and we all know how we like to cheer for the downtrodden.But because of the excellent breeding given him by his grandmother, who dies early in the book, and his late grandfather who dies earlier than she, we know all their energies were focused on helping Perry reach manhood with ethical and moral abilities and attitudes, because they realized these qualities were lacking in the rest of their progeny.

Lottery is about hope and goodness,. We all need both.