Lottery by Patricia Wood
This is a wonderful novel. The author has stuck to what she knows and as a result it is a very convincing read. The story is told by Perry who is a middle aged man with learning difficulties who lives with his grandma. The relationship between Perry and is grandma is beautiful. Perry is very trusting and his grandma does her best to ensure that when she is gone no body will take advantage of him. It is a story of human relationships, how wonderful, simple and innocent they can be. Perry and his best friend seems like an unlikely relationship, but it is built on mutual reliance and understanding. They both accept each other for what they are. Perry tells his story in a deciptively simple way and actually you come to realise that he sees what is important in life more clearly than most people.
When Perry's grandma dies and Perry wins the lottery his estranged family suddenly appear to scramble over his winnings. You find yourself shouting at the characters scorning them for their behaviour and trying to warn Perry. The book is a delight to read, taking you through many strong emotions (pride, fear, saddness, frustration) because of the devotion you feel to Perry and his friends. I highly recommend this book!
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
It took me a little while to get in to this book but by the end I was hooked. The author paints a complex picture of the Bergland family and exposes their lives completely. It is an honest, detailed depiction of how complex and hard relationships can be. On the outside, to their neighbours this family initially appear to be 'perfect' happy people who other people strive to be. Throughout the book you feel that you get to know the characters intimately. The author depicts how ordinary and mundane life can be. The central character in the book Patty, spends her life looking backwards to one pivitol moment in her life. She clings to her children and we watch in disappointment the effects this has on her life.
The father character has very strong convictions about the issue of overpopulation and spends his professional life fighting this cause. However in his personal life he faces a conflict between his own desires and his principles, which is well written.
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