Penguin Luck by Kay Mupetson

Penguin Luck by Kay Mupetson is a compelling tale about the burden of family history and the power of luck.

My Book Review Rating:

Why did you decide to read this book?

I received a review copy of this novel and I’m glad that I did, because to be perfectly honest the cover would not have spoken to me from the book store shelf! It’s the kind of cover I’d associate with trashy chick lit, and Penguin Luck is not that kind of novel at all!

I’m reading it as part of the ARC Reading Challenge 2010.

Summarise the plot – without revealing the ending!

The novel focuses on the life of Doreen Lowe, a junior law associate who lives in Manhattan with her father Max and three ghosts. Yep, you read that correctly, I did say ghosts – because Doreen is struggling to balance her personal needs and dreams with the ghosts of her father’s past.

This is a tale of families, love, choices and dealing with a conscience.

What did you like about this book?

I liked the unusual insight into the Holocaust and the impact it has on the lives of those who survived and their families. Doreen is haunted by the ghosts of her father’s friends and family; three young children who didn’t survive the atrocity, and measures her personal choices and decisions against their memory.

What didn’t you like?

The spirits appeared in the very first chapter but it wasn’t clear to begin with whether these were ‘Ghost Whisperer’ style spirits or conscience style spirits – I have to admit that it nearly put me off.

What did you think of the main character?

Doreen is definitely a well-crafted and likable character. Her personal struggles made me think about the reasons behind the choices I make in my life.

Share a quote from the book

“Whenever I was with Peter, I noticed that everything reminded me of Ty, making me long to call him, see him, touch him. That posed a serious problem, being that I was engaged to Peter, and I remained determined to somehow make that marriage happen.”

What did you think about the ending?

I found the ending of this booking very satisfying. I can’t say any more than that or I’ll ruin the book!

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Penguin Luck
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In the novel Penguin Luck, Doreen Lowe is a young, sophisticated junior associate in a small Manhattan law firm that primarily serves the lower echelons of society. Regularly visited by three ghosts, Doreen is forced to listen to their pleas that she "carry on for them"- after the Holocaust- all while balancing the demands of her career and personal life. After Doreen marries a banker with an entrepreneurial spirit, he achieves his dream of establishing a telecommunications company. Within a few years, Doreen is serving as the company's legal counsel while simultaneously raising a son, but is still being tormented by her spirits. As the young couple rides out the tech boom of the late 1990s, Doreen must reconcile her unorthodox personal choices with her widowed father, her friends, and her large conscience. Penguin Luck is a compelling tale about one woman's emotional journey as she learns to cope with a burdensome family history, a trio of determined ghosts, and the power of luck.

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Amazing Read: Debut Novel by First-Time Author!

Review Date: October 25, 2009

Reviewer: Gabriella Levin, Toronto, Canada

Encompassing romance, heartbreak, joy, and survival, this true-to-life account is guaranteed to tug at your heart as you join Doreen on her emotional journey of rediscovering her past and creating her future. Mupetson's debut novel provides a poignant and vividly authentic account of the unique experiences as a member of the "post Holocaust" generation, the children of survivors who occupy a curiously precarious position, conflicted between their responsibilities as the children of survivors and their contemporary American lifestyles. This novel provides a much-needed perspective on an issue as intriguing as it is underrepresented in contemporary literature. Doreen Lowe navigates her way through the corporate world in the climate of the 90`s technological boom through the unique vantage point as junior associate in a small Manhattan law firm. An over-all pleasurable read, this book is perfect for anyone looking for a refreshing read!!!!

Unique characters in a unique story - What a pleasant surprise!!

Review Date: October 18, 2009

Reviewer: Richard Kaplan,

I bought this book based on a friend's recommendation and was so pleasantly surprised that I decided to post this recommendation. This is a wonderful read about a NYC women involved in career, romance and friendship yet burdened by her family's ghosts. It is a tale told with wry humor and sucks you in with original characters and surprising plot twists. It also gives you a humorous yet detailed inside look at the tech boom and bust on Wall Street in the late 1990s and the many lessons can be gleaned for our current financial meltdown. A great read from a first time author - highly recommended.

Love this book

Review Date: October 30, 2009

Reviewer: Bicoastal Book Lover,

I totally enjoyed this very quick read book. The characters are compelling, the story moves along and it is a very good read. I think it's a winner!!