| Lottery | |
| Author: | Patricia Wood |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Pub Date: | 2007 |
Lottery is a 2007 novel by Patricia Wood. Her first published novel, it was shortlisted for the 2008 Orange Prize for Fiction.
Wood drew on personal experience: her father won $6 million from the Washington state lottery, and her brother-in-law had Down syndrome.[1] Wood wrote the novel in 3 months, and sold it for a reported six-figure deal.[1]
The novel focuses on Perry Crandall, a man with an IQ of 76, who wins $12 million in a lottery.
New York Magazine compared it favorably to Forrest Gump, calling it "heartfelt and totally not corny".[2] The Independent gave it a positive review, noting that it wouldn't be to all tastes and sometimes the central character seemed a bit too wise, but found it offered a pleasing story of an underdog's triumph.[3] Blogcritics found it "poignant" and praised the believable depiction of its central character.[4]
The Guardian noted other critics' comparisons to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time but found it simple-minded with the simplistic morality of pantomime.[5]