Lottery

Patricia Wood

From Shelf: The 2008 Women's Prize for Fiction Longlist

Perry L. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he'd need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune, his fate and his few true friends, he has a lesson for them: never ever underestimate Perry L.

Perry L. Crandall knows what it's like to be an outsider. With an IQ of 76, he's an easy mark. Before his grandmother died, she armed Perry well with what he'd need to know: the importance of words and writing things down, and how to play the lottery. Most importantly, she taught him whom to trust - a crucial lesson for Perry when he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. As his family descends, moving in on his fortune, his fate and his few true friends, he has a lesson for them: never ever underestimate Perry L. Crandall.