Scan barcode
A review by carolpk
Edgar and Lucy by Victor Lodato
5, no holds barred, stars for each and every page. At over 500 pages, Edgar and Lucy is a commitment but don’t let the numbers intimidate you. Victor Lodato’s words sing and you’ll be turning pages so rapidly, you’ll be finished, sorry that it has come to an end.
The Hook It could have been the title, Edgar and Lucy lacking pizzazz, that initially didn’t grab my attention. It might have been the somewhat bland cover that does make sense after reading the book. The positive reviews started didn’t sway me. I still wasn’t convinced that this was a book for me. Even knowing that Victor Lodato would be a featured author at Northshire Bookstore’s 2017 Booktopia Event didn’t hold any weight. What convinced me in the end was as simple as hearing the author describe his book and his share with his audience that one of his characters; Florence, was a combination of traits of his grandmothers, one Italian and one Polish. Perhaps not the best reason to pick up a book but I’m so glad I did.
The Line(s) So many flagged pages. I had to stop noting every single passage that struck me. I chose this simple phrase from among the many.
Grief loves innocence.”
The Sinker Here’s where it gets harder. How do I convince you to pick up Edgar and Lucy? The only way I can think to explain it is to imagine a dictionary filled with words. Nothing in themselves. Then imagine that same dictionary used with skill by someone who can arrange these into this impressive story. That's Victor Lodato, talent on a grand scale.
Victor Lodato read to his audience at Booktopia. These opening lines are the first of many passages that I loved:
Having a life meant having a story. Even at eight, Edgar knew this.
What he didn’t know was his own beginning. Newborn brains were mushy. If you wanted to how your life had started, you had to get this information from other people.
But what if these people were liars?
I kept falling asleep.” Said Lucy. She was speaking of Edgar’s birth. The boy liked this particular story, and so he made sure to roll his head in feigned boredom. “Even with all the pain, I was, like —“ Lucy opened her mouth and made a stupendous snore sound worthy of a cartoon character. “It was nearly three in the morning when you decided to show your face.”
She tossed back her hair and turned to the mirror. “And you didn’t make a fuss either. Doctor said he’s never seen a kid care less about being born. Slap, slap, and back to sleep.”
“And then they put me in the box, right? In the glass box, right?”
“Yup. Because you were so small. And you didn’t wake up for a week.”
“Size of a dinner roll, “ Lucy said with a slight shudder. “And so white, I thought you were a friggin’ ghost.”
Edgar and Lucy. Lucy and Edgar. These two are prominent characters yet not the only ones. There are others, just as important, perhaps more important and just as thoroughly written in detail, each playing their part to make this story complete. I loved Edgar and unlike some other reviewers, I even loved Lucy. I loved all the characters and didn't want to let them go.
You could call this a coming of age story set against the backdrop of a dysfunctional family, where mental illness, grief, and circumstance set in motion happenings beyond the control of this young boy. Edgar and Lucy is often humorous and might even be funny if not for its aching sadness. Do not miss it. It’s a gem.
The Hook It could have been the title, Edgar and Lucy lacking pizzazz, that initially didn’t grab my attention. It might have been the somewhat bland cover that does make sense after reading the book. The positive reviews started didn’t sway me. I still wasn’t convinced that this was a book for me. Even knowing that Victor Lodato would be a featured author at Northshire Bookstore’s 2017 Booktopia Event didn’t hold any weight. What convinced me in the end was as simple as hearing the author describe his book and his share with his audience that one of his characters; Florence, was a combination of traits of his grandmothers, one Italian and one Polish. Perhaps not the best reason to pick up a book but I’m so glad I did.
The Line(s) So many flagged pages. I had to stop noting every single passage that struck me. I chose this simple phrase from among the many.
Grief loves innocence.”
The Sinker Here’s where it gets harder. How do I convince you to pick up Edgar and Lucy? The only way I can think to explain it is to imagine a dictionary filled with words. Nothing in themselves. Then imagine that same dictionary used with skill by someone who can arrange these into this impressive story. That's Victor Lodato, talent on a grand scale.
Victor Lodato read to his audience at Booktopia. These opening lines are the first of many passages that I loved:
Having a life meant having a story. Even at eight, Edgar knew this.
What he didn’t know was his own beginning. Newborn brains were mushy. If you wanted to how your life had started, you had to get this information from other people.
But what if these people were liars?
I kept falling asleep.” Said Lucy. She was speaking of Edgar’s birth. The boy liked this particular story, and so he made sure to roll his head in feigned boredom. “Even with all the pain, I was, like —“ Lucy opened her mouth and made a stupendous snore sound worthy of a cartoon character. “It was nearly three in the morning when you decided to show your face.”
She tossed back her hair and turned to the mirror. “And you didn’t make a fuss either. Doctor said he’s never seen a kid care less about being born. Slap, slap, and back to sleep.”
“And then they put me in the box, right? In the glass box, right?”
“Yup. Because you were so small. And you didn’t wake up for a week.”
“Size of a dinner roll, “ Lucy said with a slight shudder. “And so white, I thought you were a friggin’ ghost.”
Edgar and Lucy. Lucy and Edgar. These two are prominent characters yet not the only ones. There are others, just as important, perhaps more important and just as thoroughly written in detail, each playing their part to make this story complete. I loved Edgar and unlike some other reviewers, I even loved Lucy. I loved all the characters and didn't want to let them go.
You could call this a coming of age story set against the backdrop of a dysfunctional family, where mental illness, grief, and circumstance set in motion happenings beyond the control of this young boy. Edgar and Lucy is often humorous and might even be funny if not for its aching sadness. Do not miss it. It’s a gem.