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Wishin' and Hopin' LP
A Christmas Story
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Wally Lamb, the beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hour I First Believed, I Know This Much Is True, and She’s Come Undone, delivers a holiday treat with Wishin’ and Hopin’—an unforgettable novella that captures the warmth and joy of the holiday season. Poignant and hilarious, in a vein similar to Jean Shepherd’s A Christmas Story and David Sedaris’s The Santaland Diaries, Lamb’s Christmas tale focuses on a feisty parochial school fifth grader named Felix Funicello—a distant cousin of the iconic Annette!
It's 1964 and ten-year-old Felix is sure of a few things: the birds and the bees are puzzling, television is magical, and this is one Christmas he'll never forget.
LBJ and Lady Bird are in the White House, Meet the Beatles is on everyone's turntable, and Felix Funicello (distant cousin of the iconic Annette!) is doing his best to navigate fifth grade—easier said than done when scary movies still give you nightmares and you bear a striking resemblance to a certain adorable cartoon boy.
Back in his beloved fictional town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, with a new cast of endearing characters, Wally Lamb takes his readers straight into the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School—where Mother Filomina's word is law and goody-two-shoes Rosalie Twerski is sure to be minding everyone's business. But grammar and arithmetic move to the back burner this holiday season with the sudden arrivals of substitute teacher Madame Frechette, straight from Québec, and feisty Russian student Zhenya Kabakova. While Felix learns the meaning of French kissing, cultural misunderstanding, and tableaux vivants, Wishin' and Hopin' barrels toward one outrageous Christmas.
From the Funicello family's bus-station lunch counter to the elementary school playground (with an uproarious stop at the Pillsbury Bake-Off), Wishin' and Hopin' is a vivid slice of 1960s life, a wise and witty holiday tale that celebrates where we've been—and how far we've come. |
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Author Extras
Reading Guides:
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Critical Praise for
Wishin' and Hopin' LP
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“…in the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life—flawed, goofy, wonderful life—Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
—
Washington Post
“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.”
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Washington Post
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
—
Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”
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Minneapolis Star Tribune
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
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St. Petersburg Times
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
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St. Petersburg Times
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
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St. Petersburg Times
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.”
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St. Petersburg Times
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Warmly, sweetly retro”
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Kansas City Star
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
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St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
—
St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s”
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St. Petersburg Times
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.”
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Miami Herald
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny”
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USA Today
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Wishin’ and Hopin’ from Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.”
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Body and Soul
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.”
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Hartford Books Examiner
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[Wishin’ and Hopin’] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past”
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BookPage
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.”
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Houston Chronicle
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.”
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Columbus Dispatch
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.”
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Library Journal
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.”
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Romantic Times (4 Stars)
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The Hour I First Believed
Wally Lamb's two previous novels, She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True , struck a chord with readers. They responded to the intensely introspective nature of the books, and to their lively narrative styles and biting humor. One critic called Wally Lamb a "modern-day Dostoyevsky," whose...
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I'll Fly Away
In 2003 Wally Lamb—the author of two of the most beloved novels of our time, She's Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True —published Couldn't Keep It to Myself , a collection of essays by the students in his writing workshop at the maximum-security York Correctional Institution,...
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I Know This Much Is True
With his stunning debut novel, She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb won the adulation of critics and readers with his mesmerizing tale of one woman's painful yet triumphant journey of self-discovery. Now, this brilliantly talented writer returns with I Know This Much Is True , a heartbreaking and...
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