Lottery

Lottery was written by first time author Patrica Wood. It is the story of Perry who is quick to tell us he is a 76 NOT a 75 so he is not retarded -- just slow. He lives with his grandmother who has taught him many life lessons rather remniscent of "My mama always said. . ." Perry is a very interesting guy who is very wise for a mentally challenged kind of guy. Patricia Wood has created very likeable, real characters as his friends -- Keith, a vietnam veteran with a lot of flaws, but a loyal friend, and Cherry -- Perry's would be girlfriend and others who work at the boating store with Perry. When Perry wins the lottery after his grandmother dies, the vultures aka his cousin-brothers start to swarm to try to coerce him into giving them his "power" so they can lay their hands on the money. Perry has learned enough from life and his grandmother to know they can't be trusted and Perry does just fine by himself with his friends. All in all, a heartwarming story.

Read on April 17, 2008.