Book Review: Man With Low I.Q. Struggles With Moral Decisions

Perry L. Crandall has an IQ of 76.  His mother, father and brothers abandoned him when he was young so he was raised by his very wise Gram. 

Gram has taught Perry to be resourceful.  When the television in their home breaks they go to a local appliance store where they can watch TV for free.  Gram tells Perry that with every paycheck you spend half and then you save half.

When Gram dies unexpectedly, Perry is distraught.  His brothers sell his and Gram’s house and leave him without a place to live.  Perry’s friend Gary, the owner of the marine shop where Perry works, offers him an apartment above the shop and Perry is happy with his new home.  He has his couch, his television and his own washing machine and clothes dryer.  Perry doesn’t ask for a lot in life, just friends and enough money for food and rent.

One day he is very lucky (Gram always said his middle initial L stands for lucky) and he wins the $12 million Florida state lottery.  Suddenly his brothers and his mother start paying attention to him since they feel entitled to his money.  Perry is torn since Gram taught him about trust and knowing who his friends are but also that family is important.

Two people who are his friends and don’t try to use him for his money are Keith, who works at the marine shop, and Cherry, the cashier of the Marine Mart.  Perry has a crush on Cherry but she is romantically involved with Keith, a recovering alcoholic.  But when Keith runs into trouble, Perry steps up and helps Cherry as much as he can.

Perry may have a low I.Q. but he certainly has a big heart.  He tries hard to be a kind friend and a good, trustworthy person, as Gram always taught him to be.  He has a good sense of people and what motivates them.  He knows when people are condescending or disrespectful to him.  He realizes that more people like him when he has money to spend.

This wonderful novel has a lot of humor and a lot of truth.  Some of Perry’s expressions and thought patterns are reminiscent of the main character in the novel Forrest Gump by Winston Groom.  Lottery realistically portrays  life challenges for someone with cognitive issues.  Perry pays attention and tries hard to adapt, but people are sometimes unkind to him and speak to him in a disparaging, thoughtless manner.

The Niles Public Library District has this title available for interested patrons.  For more information please stop by the Adult Fiction desk or call (847) 663-6613.