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ultimatekate's review against another edition
2.0
A quick, breezy Christmas story set in 1960s New England.
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
3.0
It was an amusing story and well read - if you like Wally Lamb you'll enjoy it! I spent much of the book wondering if most people have such vivid memories of their youth. I certainly don't remember enough of my 5th grade year to fill a book - but maybe I would if I was on tv?
pam2375's review against another edition
1.0
I finally finished this one last night. I was not too impressed. It was slightly humorous throughout the entire book. I smiled a couple of times until I got to the end when he was wrapping up the story and the characters when, it seemed to me, that Lamb was taking the opportunity to solicit for a well known charity.
The whole story is centered around a parochial elementary school in 1964/65 school year. I believe that our main character is in the 5th grade. So, there is a lot of elementary school humor and humor at the expense of a couple of the nuns.
If Lamb was just wanting to do a lite hearted Christmas book, it did not work for me and I think that he missed the mark. I would not recommend this one. Save your money or make a donation to 'your' favorite charity.
The whole story is centered around a parochial elementary school in 1964/65 school year. I believe that our main character is in the 5th grade. So, there is a lot of elementary school humor and humor at the expense of a couple of the nuns.
If Lamb was just wanting to do a lite hearted Christmas book, it did not work for me and I think that he missed the mark. I would not recommend this one. Save your money or make a donation to 'your' favorite charity.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb
3***
This story takes place from October to December, 1964 in New London, Connecticut. Felix Funicello is a distant cousin of famous Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Her posters are prominently displayed in his family’s lunch counter at the bus station. Felix is in 5th grade at St Aloysius Gonzaga parochial school, where he vies for #1 student status with Rosalie Twerski, and is best friends with Lonny Flood, who, having been “kept back” twice is the oldest student in the class at age 12.
The novel is written as a sort of memoir, including an epilogue that brings us “up to date” on the lives of the characters. (Of course, Annette Funicello is a real person, but the others are fictional.) There are a few laugh-out-loud moments, especially if you, like I, attended a Catholic school in the 1950s or 1960s. Seems to me that Lamb was pressured to write a “Christmas” book – like so many authors these days – and this is the result. The story moves quickly, and is entertaining, but it's not up to his usual standard. My F2F book club chose this for our December read, and frankly I can’t see what there is to discuss here. Lamb is a very talented writer, but this is not his best work, so do not judge the author on this book alone; read She’s Come Undone before you make up your mind about Lamb.
3***
This story takes place from October to December, 1964 in New London, Connecticut. Felix Funicello is a distant cousin of famous Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. Her posters are prominently displayed in his family’s lunch counter at the bus station. Felix is in 5th grade at St Aloysius Gonzaga parochial school, where he vies for #1 student status with Rosalie Twerski, and is best friends with Lonny Flood, who, having been “kept back” twice is the oldest student in the class at age 12.
The novel is written as a sort of memoir, including an epilogue that brings us “up to date” on the lives of the characters. (Of course, Annette Funicello is a real person, but the others are fictional.) There are a few laugh-out-loud moments, especially if you, like I, attended a Catholic school in the 1950s or 1960s. Seems to me that Lamb was pressured to write a “Christmas” book – like so many authors these days – and this is the result. The story moves quickly, and is entertaining, but it's not up to his usual standard. My F2F book club chose this for our December read, and frankly I can’t see what there is to discuss here. Lamb is a very talented writer, but this is not his best work, so do not judge the author on this book alone; read She’s Come Undone before you make up your mind about Lamb.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
This started out as a 2 or 3 to me, but it grew on me and when I was actually laughing out loud (it takes a lot to make me laugh out loud outside of conversing with someone) by the end, I had to up the star rating!
rachelellyn's review against another edition
4.0
Any Catholic or parocial school student will giggle at Wally's memories. An adorable tale of his youth.