24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An charming cast of characters ... the best book I've read this year, July 29, 2008
This review is from: Land of a Hundred Wonders (Mass Market Paperback)
Three years ago, Gibby McGraw was involved in a car accident that took the lives of her parents and left Gibby NQR or Not Quite Right. Now twenty year-old Gibby lives with her Grampa in the small town of Cray Ridge, Kentucky, bussing tables at his diner and reporting for Gibby's Gazette, which is available for free at several local businesses. Land of a Hundred Wonders by Lesley Kagen is the story of how Gibby tries to become Quite Right, and in the process discovers love, acceptance and that miracles do happen.
There is a lot going on in the little town of Cray Ridge, and in Gibby's life, for that matter. She sees this as the perfect opportunity to prove to herself and everyone else - including her mother who is restless in heaven, worrying about her daughter - that she is Quite Right. Her plan is to produce a superbly written, excellently investigated breaking news story about the murder of local politician Buster Malloy. Gibby found the body, and has pictures to prove it.
But things go awry when some shady local characters interfere with her plan. The disreputable county sheriff, Gibby's pot-smoking neighbor, and Sneaky Tim Ray Holloway, who can't seem to keep his hands of Gibby, much to her disgust. Thank goodness Gibby has plenty of good guys on her side. Her Grampa, gruff and wise, is completely devoted to making sure she is safe and well cared for. Her best friend Clever, despite being a little rough around the edges, would do anything for Gibby. And then there's Billy, not quite right in his own way after what he saw in Vietnam, but handsome, smart, and solid - and it seems his feelings for Gibby constitute a bit more than friendship.
This book easily rates as my favorite of 2008. If I used ratings in my reviews, this one would get a 5/5 rating, which is saying something since the majority of the books I read top out at 4/5. Gibby McGraw is the most incredibly endearing character I've met in a long time. And she's funny - so funny. Without meaning to be, which always makes a person funnier than if they're trying to be, doesn't it? Her sweet innocence and struggle to grasp the nuances of the English language - commonly used homophones and double entendres throw Gibby for quite a loop - result in some misunderstandings that will make you laugh out loud.
Besides Gibby, there are many other memorable characters in Land of a Hundred Wonders. Typically I fall in love with one or two characters in a novel - three is a stretch - but here there were so many well-developed characters - Grampa, Clever, Billy, and a host of others, from Miss Jessie who happened to be in love with Grampa to Miss Florida, who worked at the diner and made the best pies for miles around. I was completely charmed with all of them.
This book has it all, a little suspense, wonderful characters, even a love story or two. What impressed me the most was how very clever it was. The plot lines were varied, yet well developed and fully intertwined. The humor was absolutely brilliant and satisfyingly witty. Kagen's debut novel, Whistling in the Dark, was impressive, but she has outdone herself with Land of a Hundred Wonders.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laugh Out Loud, November 26, 2008
Funny as hell while still heartwarming,sad and hopeful! Thank you, I needed the many laughs! A genuine story of love, hate, tolerance and acceptance. Very lovable and "hateable" characters. Lesley Kagen portrayed the true flavor of the south and the year (1973)! She truly has a gift to share! I highly recommend this book as another form of anti-depressants! Thank you!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing, March 8, 2010
After falling in love with Lesley Kagen's novel Whistling in the Dark, I was eagerly anticipating this one. I fully expected it to be as charming, funny, and poignant as her first. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and I had very high hopes.
Unfortunately I was sadly disappointed with this novel. It was nowhere near as clever as her first, and the plot seemed awfully contrived and rather unrealistic to me. There were funny parts, but most of it was just pitiable. The author did her best to give a realistic-sounding southern Kentucky dialogue, but the pervasive use of "ya" in place of "you" throughout the book just got on my nerves.
As much as I wanted to like protagonist Gibby, I just simply couldn't connect with her. Her strange behaviors and thoughts just made no sense to me, and I found myself re-reading passages just trying to figure out what she was talking about.
I really can't recommend this book. And I am really and truly sorry to say that, since I was so looking forward to it. I will continue to read Ms. Kagen's works and hope that they return to the glory of her first!
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