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The Left and the Lucky
The acclaimed Willy Vlautin returns with a heartbreaking and tender novel about two young brothers, the vicissitudes of fate, and unexpected connection—a beautiful and bittersweet portrait that illuminates the power of friendship and how it can save lives in multiple ways.
Eddie Wilkens is a workaholic house painter in his early forties. His wife has left him to her regret, and his main employee, Houston, is a loafer and scoundrel who barely shows up for work. Unassuming and self-reliant, Eddie is a thoughtful man who rarely gets angry, despite life's frequent provocations, but he is ruled by a guilt that he has carried for nearly twenty years.
Next door, a woman and her two sons move in with her frail and aging mother. The youngest boy, Russell, eight years old, is quiet and small for his age and lives in constant terror of his increasingly lost and troubled fifteen-year-old brother, Curtis. As their mother struggles to keep the family together and the grandmother’s health begins to falter they find themselves unable to protect Russell and themselves from Curtis’s cruelty, which threatens to explode in frenetic violence.
Though neither knows it, Russell and Eddie will become each other’s saving grace.
While Russell’s home life disintegrates he begins waiting in Eddie’s backyard for him to get off work. Eddie offers the boy small acts of he feeds him, gives him jobs to do, listens to his dreams of escape, and offers Russell a glimpse into a world of hope and humor. A world of misfit painters, a derelict muscle car, an old dog, and the comradery and companionship of Eddie and his crew. In return, Russell gives Eddie a reason to carry on and helps him lay to rest the guilt that has plagued him for half of his life.
Together, this makeshift father and son begin to build a better life, daring to trade the bleakness and cynicism around them for hope and friendship.
From a writer revered for his thoughtful and compassionate portrayal of realistic American life, The Left and the Lucky is a heartbreakingly honest examination of how circumstance shapes our lives, and how the luck of finding someone who needs us can transcend bitter loneliness and prevent us from giving up on dreaming of a better life.
Eddie Wilkens is a workaholic house painter in his early forties. His wife has left him to her regret, and his main employee, Houston, is a loafer and scoundrel who barely shows up for work. Unassuming and self-reliant, Eddie is a thoughtful man who rarely gets angry, despite life's frequent provocations, but he is ruled by a guilt that he has carried for nearly twenty years.
Next door, a woman and her two sons move in with her frail and aging mother. The youngest boy, Russell, eight years old, is quiet and small for his age and lives in constant terror of his increasingly lost and troubled fifteen-year-old brother, Curtis. As their mother struggles to keep the family together and the grandmother’s health begins to falter they find themselves unable to protect Russell and themselves from Curtis’s cruelty, which threatens to explode in frenetic violence.
Though neither knows it, Russell and Eddie will become each other’s saving grace.
While Russell’s home life disintegrates he begins waiting in Eddie’s backyard for him to get off work. Eddie offers the boy small acts of he feeds him, gives him jobs to do, listens to his dreams of escape, and offers Russell a glimpse into a world of hope and humor. A world of misfit painters, a derelict muscle car, an old dog, and the comradery and companionship of Eddie and his crew. In return, Russell gives Eddie a reason to carry on and helps him lay to rest the guilt that has plagued him for half of his life.
Together, this makeshift father and son begin to build a better life, daring to trade the bleakness and cynicism around them for hope and friendship.
From a writer revered for his thoughtful and compassionate portrayal of realistic American life, The Left and the Lucky is a heartbreakingly honest examination of how circumstance shapes our lives, and how the luck of finding someone who needs us can transcend bitter loneliness and prevent us from giving up on dreaming of a better life.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2026
128 people are currently reading
6430 people want to read
About the author
Willy Vlautin
21 books1,174 followersWilly Vlautin (born 1967) is an American author and the lead singer and songwriter of Portland, Oregon band Richmond Fontaine. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, he has released nine studio albums since the late nineties with his band while he has written four novels: The Motel Life, Northline, Lean on Pete, and The Free.
Published in the US, several European and Asian countries, Vlautin's first book, The Motel Life was well received. It was an editor's choice in the New York Times Book Review and named one of the top 25 books of the year by the Washington Post.
His second, Northline was also critically hailed, and Vlautin was declared an important new American literary realist. Famed writer George Pelecanos stated that Northline was his favorite book of the decade. The first edition of this novel came with an original instrumental soundtrack performed by Vlautin and longtime bandmate Paul Brainard.
Vlautin's third novel, Lean on Pete, is the story of a 15-year-old boy who works and lives on a rundown race track in Portland, Oregon and befriends a failed race horse named Lean on Pete. The novel won two Oregon Book Awards: the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and the Peoples Choice Award.
As a novelist, Vlautin has cited writers such as John Steinbeck, Raymond Carver, Barry Gifford, and William Kennedy as influences. HIs writing is highly evocative of the American West; all three of his novels being set in and around Oregon, Nevada and New Mexico. His books explore the circumstances and relationships of people near the bottom of America's social and economic spectrum, itinerant, and often ailed by alcohol addiction.
Published in the US, several European and Asian countries, Vlautin's first book, The Motel Life was well received. It was an editor's choice in the New York Times Book Review and named one of the top 25 books of the year by the Washington Post.
His second, Northline was also critically hailed, and Vlautin was declared an important new American literary realist. Famed writer George Pelecanos stated that Northline was his favorite book of the decade. The first edition of this novel came with an original instrumental soundtrack performed by Vlautin and longtime bandmate Paul Brainard.
Vlautin's third novel, Lean on Pete, is the story of a 15-year-old boy who works and lives on a rundown race track in Portland, Oregon and befriends a failed race horse named Lean on Pete. The novel won two Oregon Book Awards: the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction and the Peoples Choice Award.
As a novelist, Vlautin has cited writers such as John Steinbeck, Raymond Carver, Barry Gifford, and William Kennedy as influences. HIs writing is highly evocative of the American West; all three of his novels being set in and around Oregon, Nevada and New Mexico. His books explore the circumstances and relationships of people near the bottom of America's social and economic spectrum, itinerant, and often ailed by alcohol addiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
April 26, 2026
A beautiful relationship develops in this book between Eddie, a lonely, hard-working, 42-year-old housepainter, and Russell, the very sensitive 8-year-old who lives next door. Russell has a 15-year-old brother, Curtis—a bully who likes nothing more than terrorising and physically abusing his little brother. Russell is small for his age and his only real ‘friend’ is his grandmother. It’s her home that Russell, his brother and mother are living in, but she hasn’t left her bedroom in ages—except to use the bathroom—fearful as she is of her teenaged grandson. He and his delinquent mates love to torment her, too. So, where’s the mom? you might ask. Well, she “works” at a local strip bar so she's out most nights. Besides, she admits there's nothing she can do about the situation and it’s true; she’s completely lost control of Curtis.
Then, after one particularly cruel, brutal beating, Russell seeks refuge at Eddie’s place and refuses to go home as long as Curtis is there. After speaking to Russell’s mom, Eddie agrees to let him stay as long as he likes. Eddie has a friendly, big old dog called Early. When Russell stays overnight, Early sleeps with him on the bed. Russell just loves that dog.❤️🐶
Russell and Eddie’s relationship grows strong as the story digs deep over the next few months. Both enjoy the arrangement, probably because they’re each getting something they need from it. Russell's growing more confident by the day, and Eddie’s learning to relax and take life a little slower. Russell even loves to help with Eddie’s jobs. He’s becoming the best little brush cleaner around!
This book is packed with excitement! So much happens from the first page to the last that you might want to finish it in one go. I’d suggest you take it slow, though, to savour every moment. It is absolutely the BEST Willy Vlautin novel I've read yet and I’ve seen many of the same sentiments on-line! People are just loving this novel!
A big part of Vlautin’s appeal, IMO, is that he writes straight from his heart and, very often, from his memory. His writing here will touch something in your heart or your memory, too, because it’s so incredibly REAL!! Unlike some books we’ve all read from time to time,😏 you will never put a Vlautin book down and say “Oh, come on; that would never happen!” Nope! That would never happen! He’s got something very special. His stories are real and they flow effortlessly! Do yourself a favour, and pick up one of his books—any one of them will do. I swear, you will never feel let down reading a book he’s written. It’s just not possible!
And one final note to the author:
If you're interested, a soundtrack was released with the publication. It’s available on Spotify as Vlautin’s band, The Delines, new album titled The Set Up (Willy writes the songs and plays guitar)! Here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/album/12OFzP...
5 “True–friends–always–have–your–back–no–matter–what” stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Then, after one particularly cruel, brutal beating, Russell seeks refuge at Eddie’s place and refuses to go home as long as Curtis is there. After speaking to Russell’s mom, Eddie agrees to let him stay as long as he likes. Eddie has a friendly, big old dog called Early. When Russell stays overnight, Early sleeps with him on the bed. Russell just loves that dog.❤️🐶
Russell and Eddie’s relationship grows strong as the story digs deep over the next few months. Both enjoy the arrangement, probably because they’re each getting something they need from it. Russell's growing more confident by the day, and Eddie’s learning to relax and take life a little slower. Russell even loves to help with Eddie’s jobs. He’s becoming the best little brush cleaner around!
This book is packed with excitement! So much happens from the first page to the last that you might want to finish it in one go. I’d suggest you take it slow, though, to savour every moment. It is absolutely the BEST Willy Vlautin novel I've read yet and I’ve seen many of the same sentiments on-line! People are just loving this novel!
A big part of Vlautin’s appeal, IMO, is that he writes straight from his heart and, very often, from his memory. His writing here will touch something in your heart or your memory, too, because it’s so incredibly REAL!! Unlike some books we’ve all read from time to time,😏 you will never put a Vlautin book down and say “Oh, come on; that would never happen!” Nope! That would never happen! He’s got something very special. His stories are real and they flow effortlessly! Do yourself a favour, and pick up one of his books—any one of them will do. I swear, you will never feel let down reading a book he’s written. It’s just not possible!
And one final note to the author:
If you're interested, a soundtrack was released with the publication. It’s available on Spotify as Vlautin’s band, The Delines, new album titled The Set Up (Willy writes the songs and plays guitar)! Here’s the link: https://open.spotify.com/album/12OFzP...
5 “True–friends–always–have–your–back–no–matter–what” stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a way to end 2025, and begin 2026 with another incredible read from one of my favourite writers.
The Left and the Lucky follows house painter Eddie, as he takes in 8-year-old Russell, struggling with his absent mother and violent older brother. The relationship that develops between them will move you in all kinds of ways - of course, it is heartwrenching in true Vlautin style, but there is also so much joy, hope and friendship in this novel that you can't help but see the world in a better light than when you started.
I have to also give mention to my other favourite character - Houston, Eddie's housepainting partner who may or may not show up to work, depending on how much booze he's had the night before. The way Eddie (and soon Russell) keep a watch over him when many would've given him up for good, is beautiful. Houston also delivers some incredible comedic moments here, making this possibly the first Vlautin novel to not only make me tear up but also laugh out loud!
The things that Russell has to endure from his brother Curtis and neglectful mother, are very harrowing, particularly in the first half of this novel. But Vlautin is always on the side of the down and outers, the ones struggling through life who can't catch a break, who made idiotic choices because it's all they know - and Curtis is no exception here. You will feel sympathetic for him as much as you hate him.
And Eddie - what can I say about sweet Eddie? A guy who seems fairly put together, loyal and dependable, who takes what life throws at him and carries on, because what else is there? But you soon realise Eddie has his own shit going on, he's just pretty good at hiding it - his wife left him for another man, and he still grieves the loss of his sister from years ago. His relationship with Russell isn't just for Russell's benefit - it's filling a very deep void in his own life too.
Once again, Vlautin has created another incredible set of characters you will find hard to leave behind. The Left and the Lucky explores the many different ways people cope with the hand that life has dealt them - some are lucky and make it through, others simply can't face another day, and then there are those left behind, forgotten.
A new favourite Willy Vlautin novel for me. How lucky we are to have him!
The Left and the Lucky follows house painter Eddie, as he takes in 8-year-old Russell, struggling with his absent mother and violent older brother. The relationship that develops between them will move you in all kinds of ways - of course, it is heartwrenching in true Vlautin style, but there is also so much joy, hope and friendship in this novel that you can't help but see the world in a better light than when you started.
I have to also give mention to my other favourite character - Houston, Eddie's housepainting partner who may or may not show up to work, depending on how much booze he's had the night before. The way Eddie (and soon Russell) keep a watch over him when many would've given him up for good, is beautiful. Houston also delivers some incredible comedic moments here, making this possibly the first Vlautin novel to not only make me tear up but also laugh out loud!
The things that Russell has to endure from his brother Curtis and neglectful mother, are very harrowing, particularly in the first half of this novel. But Vlautin is always on the side of the down and outers, the ones struggling through life who can't catch a break, who made idiotic choices because it's all they know - and Curtis is no exception here. You will feel sympathetic for him as much as you hate him.
And Eddie - what can I say about sweet Eddie? A guy who seems fairly put together, loyal and dependable, who takes what life throws at him and carries on, because what else is there? But you soon realise Eddie has his own shit going on, he's just pretty good at hiding it - his wife left him for another man, and he still grieves the loss of his sister from years ago. His relationship with Russell isn't just for Russell's benefit - it's filling a very deep void in his own life too.
Once again, Vlautin has created another incredible set of characters you will find hard to leave behind. The Left and the Lucky explores the many different ways people cope with the hand that life has dealt them - some are lucky and make it through, others simply can't face another day, and then there are those left behind, forgotten.
A new favourite Willy Vlautin novel for me. How lucky we are to have him!
April 28, 2026
Few writers portray the working man and those on the fringes of society as tenderly and movingly as Vlautin, and this novel is a beauty. Eddie, a workaholic 40-ish housepainter whose wife recently left him, can’t help but notice that Russell, the eight-year-old kid who lives next door, spends a lot of time hanging out in Eddie’s back yard. Turns out that the little boy is afraid to be at home, where he’d be subject to the cruelty and threatened violence of his 15-year-old half-brother, Curtis. The boys’ mother tries, but she’s often absent (she’s an exotic dancer), and her efforts just make the older boy more resentful of his little brother, who he assumes is telling on him. (He’s not. He’s too terrified.) Eddie, the neighbour, soon figures out what’s going on and offers shelter to the terrified, anxious little Russell, and the two develop a wonderful relationship as Russell finds a place in Eddie’s world, among his motley crew of maddening, semi-reliable but good-hearted crew of painters. Eddie saves Russell, but Russell is just as much a saviour of Eddie. So deeply moving, without a lick of the maudlin anywhere.
November 8, 2025
Eddie and Russell will be with me from here on out. The story is all about how being wounded is not always an impediment to finding our best selves -- unless it is. The left are those who can't find a way to live with their wounds; the lucky are those who do find a way. What works for Eddie and Russell is found family. Other characters don't fare as well, since this is a novel set in the real world, and there is a glint of sympathy for them. Intention matters, though, and what we find growing between the house painter and the boy has everything to do with each bringing their best to the table. It extends on to the small crew of painters Eddie employs -- hilarious characters who had me laughing throughout. What stands at the end is a tale of tenderness and care in a world that can be unfriendly and violent. Vlautin also makes great use of Portland, Oregon, as the setting. This is already one of my favorite novels.
November 6, 2025
What a beautiful novel with themes of friendship, life circumstances, and midlife happenings. The theme of guilt also plays heavily into Eddie’s life which makes him very relatable. All of the characters were fascinating and well developed and it feels like I really got to know them. There’s another beautiful theme of found family and friendship that plays out on the pages and really tugged at my heart. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2026
BOOK: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚢: 𝙰 𝙽𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕
AUTHOR: Willy Vlautin
PUB DATE: April 14, 2026 by @harperbooks
PAGES: 256 pages
RATING: 3.5 stars
GENRE: Friendship & Coming of Age Fiction
THANK YOU to @harperbooks for gifting me a hard copy of this book a few weeks ago. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
📖QUICK SYNOPSIS: Eddie Wilkens is a house painter in his forties whose life is quietly falling apart. His marriage is over, his help is unreliable, & he’s been carrying guilt for years. Next door, 8-year-old Russell is stuck in a tense & increasingly unsafe home with his older brother. When Russell starts spending time in Eddie’s backyard, the two slowly form an unlikely bond. Through small acts of care & friendship, they help each other find hope and a way forward from the lives they’ve been trying to survive.
✍️QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: This was my first book to read by this author, and I was so happy to receive it from Harper. I found it to be a touching story, and in many ways it reminded me of S.A. Cosby’s stories. Growing up in a small, southern town and seeing what life throws at characters really made me appreciate the blessings in my life. There are so many lessons being taught in this book, and I really loved the MMC, Eddy. This is a moving story about connection @netgalley healing, and how the right person at the right time can change everything. This is a solid read, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
THANK YOU to @harperbooks for gifting me a hard copy of this book a few weeks ago. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
QUICK SYNOPSIS: Eddie Wilkens is a house painter in his forties whose life is quietly falling apart. His marriage is over, his help is unreliable, & he’s been carrying guilt for years. Next door, 8-year-old Russell is stuck in a tense & increasingly unsafe home with his older brother. When Russell starts spending time in Eddie’s backyard, the two slowly form an unlikely bond. Through small acts of care & friendship, they help each other find hope and a way forward from the lives they’ve been trying to survive.
QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: This was my first book to read by this author, and I was so happy to receive it from Harper. I found it to be a touching story, and in many ways it reminded me of S.A. Cosby’s stories. Growing up in a small, southern town and seeing what life throws at characters really made me appreciate the blessings in my life. There are so many lessons being taught in this book, and I really loved the MMC, Eddy. This is a moving story about connection and healing, and how the right person at the right time can change everything. This is a solid read, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
AUTHOR: Willy Vlautin
PUB DATE: April 14, 2026 by @harperbooks
PAGES: 256 pages
RATING: 3.5 stars
GENRE: Friendship & Coming of Age Fiction
THANK YOU to @harperbooks for gifting me a hard copy of this book a few weeks ago. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
📖QUICK SYNOPSIS: Eddie Wilkens is a house painter in his forties whose life is quietly falling apart. His marriage is over, his help is unreliable, & he’s been carrying guilt for years. Next door, 8-year-old Russell is stuck in a tense & increasingly unsafe home with his older brother. When Russell starts spending time in Eddie’s backyard, the two slowly form an unlikely bond. Through small acts of care & friendship, they help each other find hope and a way forward from the lives they’ve been trying to survive.
✍️QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: This was my first book to read by this author, and I was so happy to receive it from Harper. I found it to be a touching story, and in many ways it reminded me of S.A. Cosby’s stories. Growing up in a small, southern town and seeing what life throws at characters really made me appreciate the blessings in my life. There are so many lessons being taught in this book, and I really loved the MMC, Eddy. This is a moving story about connection @netgalley healing, and how the right person at the right time can change everything. This is a solid read, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
THANK YOU to @harperbooks for gifting me a hard copy of this book a few weeks ago. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
QUICK SYNOPSIS: Eddie Wilkens is a house painter in his forties whose life is quietly falling apart. His marriage is over, his help is unreliable, & he’s been carrying guilt for years. Next door, 8-year-old Russell is stuck in a tense & increasingly unsafe home with his older brother. When Russell starts spending time in Eddie’s backyard, the two slowly form an unlikely bond. Through small acts of care & friendship, they help each other find hope and a way forward from the lives they’ve been trying to survive.
QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: This was my first book to read by this author, and I was so happy to receive it from Harper. I found it to be a touching story, and in many ways it reminded me of S.A. Cosby’s stories. Growing up in a small, southern town and seeing what life throws at characters really made me appreciate the blessings in my life. There are so many lessons being taught in this book, and I really loved the MMC, Eddy. This is a moving story about connection and healing, and how the right person at the right time can change everything. This is a solid read, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
April 22, 2026
Vlautin does it again. One of the best living American writers we have.
April 25, 2026
This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story about broken individuals living in difficult circumstances. The author writes with enormous understanding and compassion for his damaged characters. He captures their loneliness, desperation and resilience with simplicity and moments of humor and light. Eddie is the heart of this novel.Despite his pain and loss, he attempts to save everyone from his addicted ex-wife to his alcoholic painting partner to Russell, the lost boy next door. This book will worm its way into your heart. You’ll be glad you read it.
April 14, 2026
Another really enjoyable read from Willy Vlautin.
The story of Russell and Eddie is told in a straight forward but heart warming style, often bringing a tear to the eye. Eddie really is a saint, for his own reasons, and Russell is the grateful recipient of his kindness - no one should have to suffer the torment from his brother that he does.
The book has a well developed storyline and in the writing, nothing is surplus to requirements.
I really loved this book, as I have all of the Willy Vlautin books that I have read
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Russell and Eddie is told in a straight forward but heart warming style, often bringing a tear to the eye. Eddie really is a saint, for his own reasons, and Russell is the grateful recipient of his kindness - no one should have to suffer the torment from his brother that he does.
The book has a well developed storyline and in the writing, nothing is surplus to requirements.
I really loved this book, as I have all of the Willy Vlautin books that I have read
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2026
Eddie may be one of my new favorites characters in a book. The world would be a better place with more Eddie’s in it.
April 28, 2026
The Left and the Lucky
Willy Vlautin
Advance copy by:
NetGalley
Faber & Faber Ltd
I found this book compelling to read.
It follows a chance circumstance that brings together Russel, a frightened young boy, and his neighbour Eddie, who is carrying his own quiet pain.
The atmosphere is written with a kind of bare honesty. The language is accessible but sits comfortably within contemporary literary fiction rather than general fiction.
What stood out to me most was how differently people respond to difficult or traumatic experiences. The book allows space for those responses without forcing judgement, which made it feel very real.
Russel and Eddie’s developing friendship is at the heart of the story. There’s something deeply comforting about Eddie — calm, fair, and grounded — someone many people would benefit from having in their lives. At times, I did find myself wishing for a little more unpredictability from him, but his steadiness is also part of what defines him.
Russel, in many ways, is the quiet observer. He draws people in, and through his interactions with others, we’re given glimpses into the lives of those around him. These moments help build a wider sense of community and allow the reader to connect with the characters beyond just the central relationship.
Russel’s vulnerability is particularly striking. There’s a quiet sense that he is constantly trying to adapt himself to others, eager to belong and not let anyone down, which made him especially affecting to read.
Some of the supporting characters didn’t feel as fully developed for me as I would have liked, although there were moments of vulnerability that added depth and made them more compelling. I found myself wanting a little more from certain arcs, particularly in how those emotional threads were resolved.
Similarly, there were aspects of Eddie’s past that didn’t fully land for me. While I understood the intention, I found it harder to connect with those elements compared to the rest of the story.
That said, the novel as a whole is warm, character-driven, and quietly affecting. I grew to care about the people within it and found their journeys engaging.
I imagine this would work particularly well as an audiobook.
4/5
Willy Vlautin
Advance copy by:
NetGalley
Faber & Faber Ltd
I found this book compelling to read.
It follows a chance circumstance that brings together Russel, a frightened young boy, and his neighbour Eddie, who is carrying his own quiet pain.
The atmosphere is written with a kind of bare honesty. The language is accessible but sits comfortably within contemporary literary fiction rather than general fiction.
What stood out to me most was how differently people respond to difficult or traumatic experiences. The book allows space for those responses without forcing judgement, which made it feel very real.
Russel and Eddie’s developing friendship is at the heart of the story. There’s something deeply comforting about Eddie — calm, fair, and grounded — someone many people would benefit from having in their lives. At times, I did find myself wishing for a little more unpredictability from him, but his steadiness is also part of what defines him.
Russel, in many ways, is the quiet observer. He draws people in, and through his interactions with others, we’re given glimpses into the lives of those around him. These moments help build a wider sense of community and allow the reader to connect with the characters beyond just the central relationship.
Russel’s vulnerability is particularly striking. There’s a quiet sense that he is constantly trying to adapt himself to others, eager to belong and not let anyone down, which made him especially affecting to read.
Some of the supporting characters didn’t feel as fully developed for me as I would have liked, although there were moments of vulnerability that added depth and made them more compelling. I found myself wanting a little more from certain arcs, particularly in how those emotional threads were resolved.
Similarly, there were aspects of Eddie’s past that didn’t fully land for me. While I understood the intention, I found it harder to connect with those elements compared to the rest of the story.
That said, the novel as a whole is warm, character-driven, and quietly affecting. I grew to care about the people within it and found their journeys engaging.
I imagine this would work particularly well as an audiobook.
4/5
May 5, 2026
Although this was a quick read, the family drama was so intense that I struggled to get through it. Sibling abuse/substance abuse, child abandonment...you name it, these people experienced it.
There are two characters that bring balance to the drama but it is still VERY heavy and left me feeling it.
(Thanks to Netgalley and Harper for the ARC digital copy)
2.5 stars
There are two characters that bring balance to the drama but it is still VERY heavy and left me feeling it.
(Thanks to Netgalley and Harper for the ARC digital copy)
2.5 stars
April 18, 2026
I officially will read anything this man writes.
May 4, 2026
I loved this book. Eddie is a housepainter in Portland Oregon. One night he sees the neighbor boy, Russel, who is small for his age, alone at Fred Meyer. He buys him some food and takes him home. He knows the boy's mother. Russel lives with his grandmother, mother and older step brother Curtis. Curtis is in high school and just found out his girlfriend is pregnant. Her parents are very angry and suggest he assaulted her. He is upset because he felt she definitely wanted to have sex and sent him messages about it constantly. His mother is mad because she told him to use condoms. The mother works nights as a stripper and drinks a lot. She doesn't have time or patience for her sons. The grandmother mostly stays in her room and eats candy. She is kind to Russell and promises to make him things but she is developing dementia and doesn't follow through. Curtis takes his despair out by beating Russell up. Russell is scared and begins hanging out at Eddie's house. Eddie is endlessly patient and gives him some protection and normalcy while trying to not overstep his bounds. We see how Eddie helps his friend and co-worker, Houston, who is alcoholic and wastes his money. Eddie uses Houston's earnings to pay Houston's rent and expenses and just doles out a little to Houston at a time. When Houston goes on a bender and Eddie needs to get a job done, he hires Cordorell, a man who never stops bragging and exagerrating about himself and his successes. Eddie finds him tiresome but needs the help. Russell is really scared of Curtis who has done some very cruel things to him like tape his mother's panties on him with duct tape that hurts when he tries to pull it off and attempting to cut off Russell's eyelashes. Russell begins living at Eddie's house. When Houston stops coming to work, Russell feels he must find him so Eddie won't get mad and kick him out. He rides his bike all over town looking for him, then gets clues, finds him living in a van with another guy whom Russell pays to drive him to Eddie's. He also waits outside a club (he is only 8 ) for Jax, another painter who refuses to come back even though he gave his word. However, another guy in the band says he's a painter and could use work so he volunteers to come. Eddie is touched that Russell went to such lengths to help him but also wants to assure him that it is not his job to fix Eddie's staffing problems and Eddie is not going to kick him out. He has now made an agreement with Russell's mother to be his legal guardian while she moves with a new boyfriend. Russell fears she doesn't love him but Eddie assures him that she does but she needs to figure things out. Curtis is in jail for his violent attack. We learn that Eddie doted on his sister and she was depressed and killed herself when he was out of state for a job. He has not forgiven himself. This helps explain why he is so patient and forgiving. Most of all, I think Eddie derives strength from being a person he himself is proud of - keeping his word, helping people when he can, trying to do the right thing. I think that this helps heal him from his sorrow. The writing was excellent because I kept reading with a sense of dread that something awful would happen to Russell but even when he made mistakes, Eddie was patient and explained things to him, like a parent should. In the end it was very heartwarming. However, there was the sad story of Curtis who truly did awful things to Russell and to others but we see he did it because he felt no one loved him or believed him. He feels like his mother and Eddie only like Russell. We see how destructive it is to feel unloved. At this point, he will be a terrible menace to society. What could turn that around?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2026
Willy Vlautin’s The Left and the Lucky is a quietly devastating portrait of a boy navigating a life shaped by neglect, fear, and small, unexpected moments of grace. At its centre is Russel, a child dealt a harsh hand from the outset: a mother who is emotionally absent, a brother whose cruelty dominates the household, and the looming loss of his grandmother (the only stable figure in his life) when she is taken into care. Left behind in an environment that feels increasingly unsafe, Russel’s world is defined by anxiety and isolation.
Vlautin captures this sense of vulnerability. The weight of Russel’s situation builds through everyday details, making his fear feel painfully real. The home, which should be a place of comfort, becomes something closer to a trap, and Russel’s emotional landscape reflects that tension within his character.
The turning point comes when Russel bumps into Eddie, a neighbour. What begins as a small interaction develops into something far more meaningful. Eddie becomes a rare source of kindness and protection in Russel’s life, someone who sees him, listens to him, and, crucially, stands up for him. Their relationship is the emotional core of the novel, offering a fragile but powerful sense of hope.
What makes their bond so compelling is its simplicity. Vlautin doesn’t romanticise it; instead, he presents it as something grounded and human. Eddie isn’t a saviour in a grand sense, but his presence changes everything for Russel.
In a life defined by neglect, even small acts of care carry enormous weight.
Thank you @netgalley @faberbooks for giving me the opportunity to give my honest reflection on this book as an ARC.
Vlautin captures this sense of vulnerability. The weight of Russel’s situation builds through everyday details, making his fear feel painfully real. The home, which should be a place of comfort, becomes something closer to a trap, and Russel’s emotional landscape reflects that tension within his character.
The turning point comes when Russel bumps into Eddie, a neighbour. What begins as a small interaction develops into something far more meaningful. Eddie becomes a rare source of kindness and protection in Russel’s life, someone who sees him, listens to him, and, crucially, stands up for him. Their relationship is the emotional core of the novel, offering a fragile but powerful sense of hope.
What makes their bond so compelling is its simplicity. Vlautin doesn’t romanticise it; instead, he presents it as something grounded and human. Eddie isn’t a saviour in a grand sense, but his presence changes everything for Russel.
In a life defined by neglect, even small acts of care carry enormous weight.
Thank you @netgalley @faberbooks for giving me the opportunity to give my honest reflection on this book as an ARC.
May 8, 2026
A sweet story that demonstrates how one person can impact so many others in ways both bad and good. Heavy on the dialogue, it's a great example of showing, not telling. My only quibble with this one is that the ending wasn't as impactful as it could've been since several plot points were left unresolved.
April 17, 2026
Another solid Vlautin novel. I enjoyed this one because it was about a misfit painter crew, and I've been on one or two of those myself.
April 19, 2026
Masterful writer. Great on audio- read by author
April 29, 2026
How lucky to have someone ask what you’re working on and then actually listen and care. Be sure to read the acknowledgments on this one, I felt it tied all the heart strings together.
May 4, 2026
3.5 stars for this one. I’ve read some better “found father” stories before, but I’ve also read way worse ones. Characterisation was masterful
May 6, 2026
I couldn’t put it down. So good!
May 5, 2026
Sad and depressing. I assume there are all kinds of life lessons in this book but they escaped me.
May 1, 2026
Read my mini-review HERE.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin is an exceptional, heartbreaking, beautiful, yet harrowing novel about a friendship between a man and a boy which may save both of them. The Left and the Lucky is very highly recommended and will definitely be on my list of the very best books of the year. I love this novel. It may be my new favorite novel by Vlautin, but, really, all of his books are excellent.
In working-class Portland, Oregon, eight-year-old Russell's life has been ruled by abuse and neglect. The family lives with his grandmother, who has dementia. His mother, Connie, works nights as a stripper while his fifteen-year-old brother Curtis, is angry, troubled and increasingly a physical threat to everyone. Russell, who is small for his age, copes by sleeping on the floor in his grandmother's room, but when she goes into care, he spends most of his time outside, avoiding Curtis and waiting for their neighbor Eddie to get home and dreaming of ways to escape.
Eddie Wilkens is a workaholic house painter in his early forties whose wife has left him. He is kind, patient, thoughtful, and caring. After finding Russell out late, alone one night, he now makes sure Russell has a good meal daily and also gives him small jobs to do, like cleaning paint brushes and caring for Eddie's old dog, Early, while also keeping hims safe. Eddie's main employee is Houston, an alcoholic who he has to care for to keep him functioning. Russell ends up living with Eddie and the two become a makeshift father and son, helping each other.
This is a thoughtful, well-written novel. It isn't revealed until late in the novel the real meaning of the book's title and the pain that Eddie has carried for nearly twenty years. It makes the title so poignant but also explains the reason for the care, generosity, and patience Eddie bestows on everyone. It illustrates why Eddie helps others overcome circumstances they are facing and changes their lives. Yeah, between Russell's circumstances, Eddie's care, and other events, this is a crying novel during multiple chapters.
All the characters are portrayed as fully realized, but broken individuals, including young Russell. Vlautin excels at creating everyday, realistic, and flawed characters who are facing trials that can seem insurmountable. Even with all the pain in the narrative, there are also small moments of humor and keen insight along the way.
The Left and the Lucky is a perfect choice for reader who appreciate novels where characters face difficult situations, and fans of Willy Vlautin and Fredrik Backman's novels. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
In working-class Portland, Oregon, eight-year-old Russell's life has been ruled by abuse and neglect. The family lives with his grandmother, who has dementia. His mother, Connie, works nights as a stripper while his fifteen-year-old brother Curtis, is angry, troubled and increasingly a physical threat to everyone. Russell, who is small for his age, copes by sleeping on the floor in his grandmother's room, but when she goes into care, he spends most of his time outside, avoiding Curtis and waiting for their neighbor Eddie to get home and dreaming of ways to escape.
Eddie Wilkens is a workaholic house painter in his early forties whose wife has left him. He is kind, patient, thoughtful, and caring. After finding Russell out late, alone one night, he now makes sure Russell has a good meal daily and also gives him small jobs to do, like cleaning paint brushes and caring for Eddie's old dog, Early, while also keeping hims safe. Eddie's main employee is Houston, an alcoholic who he has to care for to keep him functioning. Russell ends up living with Eddie and the two become a makeshift father and son, helping each other.
This is a thoughtful, well-written novel. It isn't revealed until late in the novel the real meaning of the book's title and the pain that Eddie has carried for nearly twenty years. It makes the title so poignant but also explains the reason for the care, generosity, and patience Eddie bestows on everyone. It illustrates why Eddie helps others overcome circumstances they are facing and changes their lives. Yeah, between Russell's circumstances, Eddie's care, and other events, this is a crying novel during multiple chapters.
All the characters are portrayed as fully realized, but broken individuals, including young Russell. Vlautin excels at creating everyday, realistic, and flawed characters who are facing trials that can seem insurmountable. Even with all the pain in the narrative, there are also small moments of humor and keen insight along the way.
The Left and the Lucky is a perfect choice for reader who appreciate novels where characters face difficult situations, and fans of Willy Vlautin and Fredrik Backman's novels. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
May 4, 2026
I almost didn’t read the “The Left and the Lucky” by Willy Vlautin. Entirely by coincidence, a lot of my recent reads have circled heavy territory—poverty, addiction, racism, violence—and I wasn’t convinced I had the emotional energy for yet another book rooted in hardship. I’m very glad I ignored that hesitation because Vlautin’s take on it made me feel a little more hopeful for humankind again.
The story centres on Eddie Wilkens, a middle aged house painter in Portland whose life is shaped by routine, responsibility and a deep sense of guilt he’s carried for years. When a struggling family moves in next door, Eddie slowly forms a bond with Russell, a quiet eight year old boy living in fear of his volatile older brother and the chaos of his home life. What unfolds is an understated but deeply affecting relationship built on small gestures—food, work, listening—that slowly becomes a source of safety and hope for both of them.
I absolutely loved this book. Vlautin deals with some heavy, often depressing material—neglect, violence, addiction, grinding poverty—but he never wallows in it. What makes the story quietly life affirming is the way it insists that decency still exists, usually in understated, practical forms. Eddie isn’t a hero in any conventional sense; he just keeps showing up, paying attention and doing the right thing when it would be far easier to stay out of it. The book gently suggests that this kind of humanity can be genuinely life saving and I found myself thinking more than once that we all should be a bit more like Eddie in our day to day life.
The writing is deceptively simple and very engaging, with characters who feel completely real—messy, frustrating, tender and believable. Vlautin has a particular talent for making the everyday feel significant: meals, jobs, small conversations all carry emotional weight. My only hesitation, and the reason I didn’t quite give it five stars, is that some of Houston’s monologues go on a bit too long. I felt they slowed the book’s otherwise steady momentum.
Vlautin narrating the audiobook himself was a great choice. When the author narrates a book I am sometimes a bit hesitant and more than once wondered why they didn’t get a professional actor but this was not the case here. Vlautin knows his characters inside out and that intimacy comes through in his delivery. His narration is understated and completely in tune with the book’s tone—no theatrics, just honesty—which suits this story perfectly.
In short, The Left and the Lucky is sad and hopeful in a very unflashy way. It’s a book about how a little kindness can go a long way, sometimes far enough to change someone’s life.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, NetGalley and Willy Vlautin for an advance listening copy of this book.
The story centres on Eddie Wilkens, a middle aged house painter in Portland whose life is shaped by routine, responsibility and a deep sense of guilt he’s carried for years. When a struggling family moves in next door, Eddie slowly forms a bond with Russell, a quiet eight year old boy living in fear of his volatile older brother and the chaos of his home life. What unfolds is an understated but deeply affecting relationship built on small gestures—food, work, listening—that slowly becomes a source of safety and hope for both of them.
I absolutely loved this book. Vlautin deals with some heavy, often depressing material—neglect, violence, addiction, grinding poverty—but he never wallows in it. What makes the story quietly life affirming is the way it insists that decency still exists, usually in understated, practical forms. Eddie isn’t a hero in any conventional sense; he just keeps showing up, paying attention and doing the right thing when it would be far easier to stay out of it. The book gently suggests that this kind of humanity can be genuinely life saving and I found myself thinking more than once that we all should be a bit more like Eddie in our day to day life.
The writing is deceptively simple and very engaging, with characters who feel completely real—messy, frustrating, tender and believable. Vlautin has a particular talent for making the everyday feel significant: meals, jobs, small conversations all carry emotional weight. My only hesitation, and the reason I didn’t quite give it five stars, is that some of Houston’s monologues go on a bit too long. I felt they slowed the book’s otherwise steady momentum.
Vlautin narrating the audiobook himself was a great choice. When the author narrates a book I am sometimes a bit hesitant and more than once wondered why they didn’t get a professional actor but this was not the case here. Vlautin knows his characters inside out and that intimacy comes through in his delivery. His narration is understated and completely in tune with the book’s tone—no theatrics, just honesty—which suits this story perfectly.
In short, The Left and the Lucky is sad and hopeful in a very unflashy way. It’s a book about how a little kindness can go a long way, sometimes far enough to change someone’s life.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, NetGalley and Willy Vlautin for an advance listening copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an ARC of the audiobook of "The Left and the Lucky" by Willy Vlautin in exchange for my honest review.
Scrolling through NetGalley's audiobooks, I saw the cover of Willy Vlautin's forthcoming novel and risked a click, the illustration of a 70s muscle car set against desolate plains drawing me in. The description sounded like my kind of thing: plain-spoken writing about blue collar, down-on-their-luck types, a slice of American life of those just trying to get by, make ends meet, to find some solace and meaning in an otherwise cruel world, with a little wry humor spliced in here and there for good measure. That type of thing? That's my kind of novel.
Eddie, a single man just north of 40 haunted by a failed marriage and the death of his younger sister, is a house painter living in Portland, surrounded by a few misfits that are under his employ as well as his old black lab named Early. You'll meet Russell, his 8-year-old neighbor tormented by his bully older half-brother, whose mom seems to be trying to do her best to make ends meet as a dancer, but who can't seem to get herself together enough to provide stability for her two sons. Eddie sees how things are going and finds similarities between Russell and his sister, and as the book unspools it becomes clear that Eddie's internal redemption arch is helping Russell to fill the void in his heart and life left by the passing of his sister twenty years earlier.
The dialogue in this book is pitch-perfect, from bender-prone assistant painter/friend Houston often tailing off as he talks and talks, spinning stories in one direction then turning in another, to Cordero, another senior painter from Chicago who will never let anyone forget his successes in said city and who reminded me of one of my acquaintances that I always feel like I have to apologize for. Vlautin proves himself to be masterful in storytelling, and his narration of the audiobook is hilarious and brings the story vividly to life.
This might be the first book of 2026 that I feel willing to recommend with my whole chest. I hadn't read Vlautin before, but now I'll be making it a point to go back and read everything of his I can find. This one connected deeply, it almost ripped my heart and guts out, and I'm ready to do it again.
Scrolling through NetGalley's audiobooks, I saw the cover of Willy Vlautin's forthcoming novel and risked a click, the illustration of a 70s muscle car set against desolate plains drawing me in. The description sounded like my kind of thing: plain-spoken writing about blue collar, down-on-their-luck types, a slice of American life of those just trying to get by, make ends meet, to find some solace and meaning in an otherwise cruel world, with a little wry humor spliced in here and there for good measure. That type of thing? That's my kind of novel.
Eddie, a single man just north of 40 haunted by a failed marriage and the death of his younger sister, is a house painter living in Portland, surrounded by a few misfits that are under his employ as well as his old black lab named Early. You'll meet Russell, his 8-year-old neighbor tormented by his bully older half-brother, whose mom seems to be trying to do her best to make ends meet as a dancer, but who can't seem to get herself together enough to provide stability for her two sons. Eddie sees how things are going and finds similarities between Russell and his sister, and as the book unspools it becomes clear that Eddie's internal redemption arch is helping Russell to fill the void in his heart and life left by the passing of his sister twenty years earlier.
The dialogue in this book is pitch-perfect, from bender-prone assistant painter/friend Houston often tailing off as he talks and talks, spinning stories in one direction then turning in another, to Cordero, another senior painter from Chicago who will never let anyone forget his successes in said city and who reminded me of one of my acquaintances that I always feel like I have to apologize for. Vlautin proves himself to be masterful in storytelling, and his narration of the audiobook is hilarious and brings the story vividly to life.
This might be the first book of 2026 that I feel willing to recommend with my whole chest. I hadn't read Vlautin before, but now I'll be making it a point to go back and read everything of his I can find. This one connected deeply, it almost ripped my heart and guts out, and I'm ready to do it again.
April 19, 2026
I absolutely adored The Horse on audio, narrated by Willy Vlautin himself. He was the perfect voice for that story. So when I saw his new release, The Left and the Lucky, also narrated by Vlautin, I immediately picked up the audiobook. Once again, his narration elevates the material. His pauses, pacing, and quiet inflections land in exactly the right places. Vlautin is also a musician with The Delines, the Portland, Oregon group that describes its sound as “retro country soul.” His voice carries that same soulful quality, and so does his storytelling.
The novel centers on Eddie Wilkens, a forty-something house painter who lives next door to a struggling single mother raising two boys by different fathers. Her oldest son, Curtis, is angry, cruel, and already showing the hardness life can create. Her youngest, Russell, is a scrawny eight-year-old boy with a tender heart. He is earnest, kind, and one of the sweetest characters I have encountered in fiction. Eddie, meanwhile, may be one of the most patient, tolerant, and decent men ever written.
Russell’s older brother bullies him relentlessly while their mother is often away working, leaving the boys largely on their own. Russell dreams of building an airplane or a boat that can carry him somewhere better, perhaps all the way to Hawaii.
Eddie paints houses six days a week. He is a workaholic who cannot say no to damaged people and often goes out of his way to help them. Each night, Russell comes by to talk. Eddie quickly recognizes what the child truly needs: food, kindness, safety, and attention. The relationship that grows between them is tender, believable, and quietly magical in the way only Vlautin can write.
This is a beautiful story about human connection in vulnerable circumstances. Vlautin writes with enormous compassion and a clear-eyed understanding of people living on the margins. He captures loneliness, hardship, and resilience without sentimentality. The novel has rightly been praised for its humane storytelling and realistic portrayal of American life.
I give this audiobook 5 shiny stars. Willy Vlautin could narrate a grocery list and I would listen, but thankfully he keeps writing wonderful novels instead.
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April 27, 2026
I'm a relative newcomer to Willy Vlautin's novels. My first time reading him was his sixth novel, 2021's The Night Always Comes. But that was one of my favorite books of that year. And his new novel, The Left and the Lucky will undoubtedly wind up on this year's favorites-of-the-year list.
I LOVED this book.
Vlautin, like his fellow Pacific Northwest writers Jonathan Evison and Jess Walter, writes stories about plucky everyday people just trying to get by. In The Left and the Lucky, our everyday person is a divorced Portland house-painter named Eddie.
Eddie's next-door neighbor is a family with problems. Their mother, who is a stripper, and not a bad person but seems totally overmatched, has two kids, one an out-of-control teenager named Curtis and a mild-mannered second grader named Russell. Curtis absolutely terrorizes Russell -- he's cruel to him to the point Russell doesn't feel safe and hides out in his grandmother's bedroom or just wanders around rainy, dreary Portland.
When Eddie finds Russell hiding out in a grocery store, he starts to understand the scope of the problem next door. Eddie and Russell become fast, if unlikely, friends. A highlight of this story is how not just Eddie, but also Eddie's sidekick Houston, an alcoholic who Eddie also tries to help by keeping him employed and managing his money for him, relate to Russell. They treat him -- and talk to him -- as their equal. And the conversations are so heartwarming, often really funny, but so real.
Eddie is almost preternaturally patient with Russell, with Houston, and with another painter named Cordarelle who Vlautin captures with hilarious accuracy. If you've ever worked in the building trades (and I have!), you know a Cordarelle -- a guy always bragging and talking about his glory days.
Ultimately, The Left and the Lucky is the story of the everyday struggle just to make ends meet, to make life meaningful, to get out of your own way, and to be a good person in a shitty world full of shitty people. It's the story of how friendship can quite literally save you.
I LOVED this book.
Vlautin, like his fellow Pacific Northwest writers Jonathan Evison and Jess Walter, writes stories about plucky everyday people just trying to get by. In The Left and the Lucky, our everyday person is a divorced Portland house-painter named Eddie.
Eddie's next-door neighbor is a family with problems. Their mother, who is a stripper, and not a bad person but seems totally overmatched, has two kids, one an out-of-control teenager named Curtis and a mild-mannered second grader named Russell. Curtis absolutely terrorizes Russell -- he's cruel to him to the point Russell doesn't feel safe and hides out in his grandmother's bedroom or just wanders around rainy, dreary Portland.
When Eddie finds Russell hiding out in a grocery store, he starts to understand the scope of the problem next door. Eddie and Russell become fast, if unlikely, friends. A highlight of this story is how not just Eddie, but also Eddie's sidekick Houston, an alcoholic who Eddie also tries to help by keeping him employed and managing his money for him, relate to Russell. They treat him -- and talk to him -- as their equal. And the conversations are so heartwarming, often really funny, but so real.
Eddie is almost preternaturally patient with Russell, with Houston, and with another painter named Cordarelle who Vlautin captures with hilarious accuracy. If you've ever worked in the building trades (and I have!), you know a Cordarelle -- a guy always bragging and talking about his glory days.
Ultimately, The Left and the Lucky is the story of the everyday struggle just to make ends meet, to make life meaningful, to get out of your own way, and to be a good person in a shitty world full of shitty people. It's the story of how friendship can quite literally save you.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Left and The Lucky by Willy Vlautin
When writers like Ben Myers and Joe Hill are praising the author I just know that I'm in for a good time.
This is one of those novels where the characters are incredibly real and stay with you after reading.
Eight year old Russell lives with his single mother, his ailing Nan and his older brother Curtis. His mother isn't around much for him as she works nights which leaves him vulnerable to extreme bullying from Curtis who is becoming increasingly violent.
Russell's situation is heartbreaking and terrifying.
Eddie lives next door. His wife has left him and now in his forties he finds himself alone. He runs a house-painting business and has two unreliable employees in Houston and Cordarrel. Houston has problems with alcohol and Cordarrel just doesn't stop yapping.
Russell and Eddie find themselves drawn together in an unlikely friendship. Eddie might just save Russell's life but it's not all one way as caring for Russell may help him deal with his past and give him renewed purpose.
I loved these characters. The book flies along at a quick pace thanks to lots of amazing dialogue.
A lot happens in their lives and there are devastatingly upsetting moments balanced with incredible feel-good scenes.
There's also a surprising amount of humour. I'm still laughing about Houston's hair after his salon experience 🤣
Eddie is one of those people that doesn't realise his own value and it reminded me of It's A Wonderful Life. The impact he unknowingly has on those around him is immense. He's a good man just trying to make his way through life saddled with a business he never aspired to.
This is the greatest buddy movie waiting to happen. I want the whole world to fall in love with Eddie and Russell.
Vlautin is joining my list of favourite authors and I'll be tracking down his previous books.
✨✨✨✨✨5 stars
Thank you so much to @faberbooks for the ARC. Publication date is 7th May
When writers like Ben Myers and Joe Hill are praising the author I just know that I'm in for a good time.
This is one of those novels where the characters are incredibly real and stay with you after reading.
Eight year old Russell lives with his single mother, his ailing Nan and his older brother Curtis. His mother isn't around much for him as she works nights which leaves him vulnerable to extreme bullying from Curtis who is becoming increasingly violent.
Russell's situation is heartbreaking and terrifying.
Eddie lives next door. His wife has left him and now in his forties he finds himself alone. He runs a house-painting business and has two unreliable employees in Houston and Cordarrel. Houston has problems with alcohol and Cordarrel just doesn't stop yapping.
Russell and Eddie find themselves drawn together in an unlikely friendship. Eddie might just save Russell's life but it's not all one way as caring for Russell may help him deal with his past and give him renewed purpose.
I loved these characters. The book flies along at a quick pace thanks to lots of amazing dialogue.
A lot happens in their lives and there are devastatingly upsetting moments balanced with incredible feel-good scenes.
There's also a surprising amount of humour. I'm still laughing about Houston's hair after his salon experience 🤣
Eddie is one of those people that doesn't realise his own value and it reminded me of It's A Wonderful Life. The impact he unknowingly has on those around him is immense. He's a good man just trying to make his way through life saddled with a business he never aspired to.
This is the greatest buddy movie waiting to happen. I want the whole world to fall in love with Eddie and Russell.
Vlautin is joining my list of favourite authors and I'll be tracking down his previous books.
✨✨✨✨✨5 stars
Thank you so much to @faberbooks for the ARC. Publication date is 7th May
May 4, 2026
Set in Oregon, where a housepainter in his early forties named Eddie befriends and comes to care for a young boy named Russell who lives next door. Russell's home life in turbulent, as his mother struggles to make ends meet, and his older brother, Curtis, terrorizes the home with his violent outbursts. Eddie and Russell will forge a bond that will give each of them something meaningful and enriching.
Would have preferred giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The novel is filled with authentic and interesting characters that Vlautin has great compassion for. He continues to excel at crafting stories that he peoples with believable characters that have faults and regrets. I once again came to care a great deal for the protagonists of this book. The relationship between Eddie and Russell is beautifully observed. The ebbs and flows of their lives were compelling. Even when the two characters are simply eating at a diner or walking to a movie theater, you want to stay with the two and make sure they get where they are going safely.
One small critique was that the novel felt unfinished. I would have greatly appreciated more closure with a number of the plot threads. The Curtis character began the novel and his presence loomed over large stretches of the story, but that character didn't have a resolution with any of the other figures. That was the most significant plot element that the reader wasn't allowed to see, but not the only one. I also would have greatly appreciated seeing Russell and his mother or grandmother, for that matter, have one final interaction before the story reached its endpoint.
A small nitpick in what amounted to another excellent work of fiction from Willy Vlautin.
Would have preferred giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The novel is filled with authentic and interesting characters that Vlautin has great compassion for. He continues to excel at crafting stories that he peoples with believable characters that have faults and regrets. I once again came to care a great deal for the protagonists of this book. The relationship between Eddie and Russell is beautifully observed. The ebbs and flows of their lives were compelling. Even when the two characters are simply eating at a diner or walking to a movie theater, you want to stay with the two and make sure they get where they are going safely.
One small critique was that the novel felt unfinished. I would have greatly appreciated more closure with a number of the plot threads. The Curtis character began the novel and his presence loomed over large stretches of the story, but that character didn't have a resolution with any of the other figures. That was the most significant plot element that the reader wasn't allowed to see, but not the only one. I also would have greatly appreciated seeing Russell and his mother or grandmother, for that matter, have one final interaction before the story reached its endpoint.
A small nitpick in what amounted to another excellent work of fiction from Willy Vlautin.
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