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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	Title: Penguin Luck Publisher: iUniverse.com Average review rating:   List Price: $18.95 Sale Price: $0.42 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
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holocaust hlocaust holocaust holocaust holocaust holocaust, etc.   Review Date: April 3, 2010 Reviewer: Jack Of Alltrades, Loth Ethtadoth Unidoth Ever wonder why the Holocaust is part of so many films and books? What makes it unique among all the carnage, religious, ethnic and political, that has left hundreds of millions dead in the twentieth century? Why is it so important? so front-and-center in our society? Are Jewish lives more precious? Are Goys less than human? Who decides what books to publish, what films to make? Why must we hear about the Holocaust so often when such a small percentage of Americans are Jews? Hmmm.... Just wondering... A decent effort   Review Date: February 12, 2010 Reviewer: Alexia, Northern NJ USA This was an interesting story of a woman breaking free from the expected path and following her heart. I really liked how Doreen felt she needed color in her life, while the expected path was black and white with only a few shades of gray. Then she meets Ty, who came to New York in search of color. How could she possibly resist? The spirits mentioned in the blurb are actual spirits. The back of the book states that they are ghosts, so it won't be spoiling anything to reveal that Doreen has been living with the trio for years and they are not happy with her choices. I felt that they were a little unnecessary, but guess they symbolized the weight of her heritage or somesuch. I just found them annoying. Her father isn't too happy with his new son-in -law either, but Doreen believes that she made the right decision and has no regrets. I kept forgetting that this book was set before the proliferation of cell phones, and wondered why on earth Ty would carry a beeper. Hasn't been that long since you had to hunt down a pay phone if you wanted to call someone away from home, so I was amused by how I'm now taking it for granted that everyone has a cell, including fictional characters! *L* The penguin in the title refers to the affectionate nickname Doreen and her friends have given her parent's generation (as they sort of resemble penguins - short, balding, and waddle when they walk). Her parents, as well as her aunt and uncle, were all Holocaust survivors. Their lives, as well as their children's lives, were all shaped by this event. The ghosts are also from the Holocaust, and keep reminding Doreen that she has "obligations" as a child of survivors. Gave this a 3/5 rating as I enjoyed the book, but did not love it. The writing was good and I had no complaints about the plot, but I felt that overall it needed a little more polish. This is Kay's first book and I think that she has a strong future, as the story was compelling. I loved Doreen and all of the people in her life. Could have done without the ghosts, but they were still interesting. Penguin Luck   Review Date: December 19, 2009 Reviewer: Anna Lemkau, Minnesota This isn't what I usually read. But I absolutely loved the title and when I read the blurb I thought I'd give it a try. I was surprised. This was an enjoyable read for me. Penguin Luck was a refreshing and engrossing read. Doreen's story is full of emotional moments that will pull at your heart. Set in the 90's in the Wall Street scene, this is a story of romance, humor and, dealing with the family's haunted past. If your looking for something different, you might find it in this book. 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!! Amazing Read: Debut Novel by First-Time Author!   Review Date: October 25, 2009 Reviewer: Gabriella Kaminer-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!!!!
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