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The Lottery
Every small town has its secrets. And this one could tear his world apart.
Nathan Thomas feels grateful for his loving family and a steady job in a town where work is scarce. Still haunted by a deadly accident that severed his closest friendships, he hopes his bad luck is well behind him. But a fresh betrayal and a shocking revelation could take everything he loves away.
With his marriage strained to the breaking point, Nathan's forced to confront his devastating youth for answers. As he fights for his family, will accepting the crushing realities of his past let him secure a possible future?
The Lottery is a heartfelt novel set in a quiet Appalachian town. If you like relatable characters, true-to-life hardships, and unforgettable drama, then you’ll love D. K. Wall’s captivating story.
Experience working-class struggles and triumphs through The Lottery
Nathan Thomas feels grateful for his loving family and a steady job in a town where work is scarce. Still haunted by a deadly accident that severed his closest friendships, he hopes his bad luck is well behind him. But a fresh betrayal and a shocking revelation could take everything he loves away.
With his marriage strained to the breaking point, Nathan's forced to confront his devastating youth for answers. As he fights for his family, will accepting the crushing realities of his past let him secure a possible future?
The Lottery is a heartfelt novel set in a quiet Appalachian town. If you like relatable characters, true-to-life hardships, and unforgettable drama, then you’ll love D. K. Wall’s captivating story.
Experience working-class struggles and triumphs through The Lottery
298 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2019
351 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Wall
6 books44 followersMany years ago, D.K. Wall regaled a group of co-workers with a colorful story. One lady wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. "I wish I had been there."
"But you were."
"Yes, but you remember it better than I do."
That's the art of story telling. Begin with a nugget of truth. Highlight the interesting. Surround with imagery. Weave fact and fiction to create an engaging tale. Remember it better.
D.K. has lived his entire life in the Carolinas—the highest elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains, the industrial towns of Gastonia and Hickory, the financial center of Charlotte, and the coastal salt marsh of Murrells Inlet. He’s watched the textile and furniture industries wither and the banking and service industries explode, changing the face of the region.
Married and living in Asheville, surrounded by his family of rescued Siberian Huskies known as The Thundering Herd, D.K. takes the characters and tales of his lifetime of experience and remembers them better for your entertainment.
"But you were."
"Yes, but you remember it better than I do."
That's the art of story telling. Begin with a nugget of truth. Highlight the interesting. Surround with imagery. Weave fact and fiction to create an engaging tale. Remember it better.
D.K. has lived his entire life in the Carolinas—the highest elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains, the industrial towns of Gastonia and Hickory, the financial center of Charlotte, and the coastal salt marsh of Murrells Inlet. He’s watched the textile and furniture industries wither and the banking and service industries explode, changing the face of the region.
Married and living in Asheville, surrounded by his family of rescued Siberian Huskies known as The Thundering Herd, D.K. takes the characters and tales of his lifetime of experience and remembers them better for your entertainment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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November 2, 2019I had to read this for book club. Awful.
June 16, 2020
Author really struggled with the characters trying to create an unrealistic way and couldn't bring it together. VERY SLOW and boring. Then it all came together to the point of kick you in the balls and spit on your neck in the worst way possible another unrealistic scenario.
January 2, 2021
If I started this on December 31, 2020 but finished it on January 1, 2021, is it the first book I read this year?
Anyway the book is
The Lottery- D.K. Wall
It is like Chick lit but written by a guy and it is mostly about 4 guys, so maybe it is Dude lit.
No matter the story is excellent!
4 childhood friends face their future now that their senior year of playing football is over and what will they do when they graduate? Well they have it pretty much figured out, then tragedy strikes.
Most of the story is told present day and is about life in the 21st century, how being a grownup isn’t all it was supposed to be.
It is the authors first book and it is a little bumpy in the beginning especially the dialogue, but the author writes like people actually talk- I don’t think he has a masters in creative writing- thank god, and so the story is just a solid story about people the reader could actually care about.
I look forward to reading future books by this author.
Anyway the book is
The Lottery- D.K. Wall
It is like Chick lit but written by a guy and it is mostly about 4 guys, so maybe it is Dude lit.
No matter the story is excellent!
4 childhood friends face their future now that their senior year of playing football is over and what will they do when they graduate? Well they have it pretty much figured out, then tragedy strikes.
Most of the story is told present day and is about life in the 21st century, how being a grownup isn’t all it was supposed to be.
It is the authors first book and it is a little bumpy in the beginning especially the dialogue, but the author writes like people actually talk- I don’t think he has a masters in creative writing- thank god, and so the story is just a solid story about people the reader could actually care about.
I look forward to reading future books by this author.
February 27, 2019
This is D. K. Wall’s first novel and he gained my interest in the first couple of chapters. It’s a quick read that I didn’t want to put down. While the focus is primarily on Nathan, the other boys are fully developed and you are able to understand how each dealt with the impact of what happened that fateful day. The story keeps your interest with the events that occur and keeps you wondering with what happens next. You really get a feeling for the town as well and the town is just as much a character as the people. Great novel and I’ll be looking forward to D. K. Wall’s next book
September 11, 2020
This book is a look at life and how both fate and choices shape destiny. The author made me feel as if I was a part of this small town, and his characters were neighbors. The characters he has created are both heroic, flawed, and memorable. He captures the excitement of high school football in the beginning and follows the players as they become adults, after that one fateful night that changed all of their lives forever. It was a heartwarming, realistic read, and kept my interest from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the book! Looking forward to more from this author.
September 27, 2020
After reading Alone Together, I knew I had to read this as well. It was equally as good.(The story line is a continuation from Alone Together) It starts with the last high school game for a groups of seniors and friends, and details that fateful night, and how it changed their lives forever. There is tragedy, love and forgiveness, with a few plot twists along the way. The characters are ones I will remember, both flawed and heroic, as we all are. I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to reading more from this author.
February 26, 2019
I found this author because I follow his blog about his siberian huskies (the thundering herd). I saw that he was a new author and the book looked interesting and the title had me intrigued. I usually read non-fiction books only but found that I had a hard time putting this book down once I started reading it. I finished it in two days. It was well written and kept me wanting to know more. I would recommend it if you like books that keep you guessing to the end.
March 6, 2019
One fateful night changed the lives of everyone in a small town. DK Wall truly captured the spirit of small-town football and drama in his first novel. This first novel is well written, crafted to all reader styles, and easy to read. It brings back those home town feelings of being ready for football season and the drama that comes with it. If you like football, drama, and the occasional laugh, this book is for you.
October 9, 2019
I have been following D.K. Wall and his daily blog of his Siberian Huskies - "The Thundering Herd" and decided to read his first book. Normally I get books from the library, but this one I had to purchase, due to library not having it in the system. I was not disappointed and glad I purchased it. I found it well written and the characters were my friends by the end. Kept me guessing up till the end. Read this at night in my tent on 2 camping trips. Will read the next book to come out.
November 11, 2020
I stumbled across this book and author when I was going through new books at my local library. I am glad that I took a chance on it because I really enjoyed it. The story is sad, happy, and shows you what can happen because of the choices you make. It also shows that people can deal with consequences in a mature way and have the best outcome for everyone involved. I definitely recommend this book.
January 11, 2021
Such a great piece of writing. I tend to subconciously choose female authors more often than not, but I absolutely loved DK Walls writing style so much that I've enveloped his entire website and will read all of his writing from here on out. Definitely a Nicholas Sparks-esque type of novel. Hooked from beginning to end, just when I thought I had it all figured out, he had a twist of a surprise. Very comforting, good read.
February 15, 2020
Predictable but a good read.
Predictable but a good read. I found my self wanting less detail and more storyline. Hank annoyed me! This story is an example that parent should not stay together just for the sake of the child. It’s important to be a great parent whoever you reside. A parents actions always impact a child development
Predictable but a good read. I found my self wanting less detail and more storyline. Hank annoyed me! This story is an example that parent should not stay together just for the sake of the child. It’s important to be a great parent whoever you reside. A parents actions always impact a child development
June 15, 2020
I read for entertainment and appreciate a good story. I don't read to criticise. This book was entertaining and the story engaged me. That's all I expect from a book. Character development was good and I found myself reacting to them on an emotional level. The story drove home the point that the decisions made in high school can affect one for a lifetime, both in a good way and bad.
March 25, 2021
Small town life in the hills of North Carolina doesn't mean life is always simple. I really escaped into the story and characters in this book. Along the way I wiped tears from my eyes and cheered for Nathan as he worked hard to navigate his way through tragedy, money troubles, and more - to ultimately show his dedication to being a father his son would be proud of.
July 23, 2022
yes and no
I loved the story line. I hated all the forgiveness at the end. Some things are just not okay. If people cause that much pain to each other ( like a trampy wife, and deceiving friend) a smile and an aw shucks just doesn’t cut it. Let’s cause all this pain and just go back to being a happy family…..nope.
I loved the story line. I hated all the forgiveness at the end. Some things are just not okay. If people cause that much pain to each other ( like a trampy wife, and deceiving friend) a smile and an aw shucks just doesn’t cut it. Let’s cause all this pain and just go back to being a happy family…..nope.
February 26, 2019
The book opens fourteen years ago as the Fearsome Foursome were playing their last football game. Nathan, Charlie, Hank, and Danny have been playing football together since they were five years old but now, they are high school seniors and they are trying desperately to win against their hated rivals who have beaten them every year. At this moment they never dreamed how horribly their night would end and how it would change their lives.
From the excitement of this football game to the events that follow, the author draws you in to the lives of these people and the town where they live. This is a small town that, like a lot of small towns in America, is struggling to survive as factories shut down and “mom and pop” stores go out of business and families struggle to pay the bills each month and hope to still have a job next month. But it’s also a small town where a man takes in his best friend’s son who becomes an orphan at 15 years old and where a friend faithfully goes by to visit his paraplegic friend. I felt like I got to know the characters in this book, and I cared what was happening to them.
This is Mr. Wall’s debut novel and I am looking forward to his future works.
I received a free e-book in exchange for this honest review.
From the excitement of this football game to the events that follow, the author draws you in to the lives of these people and the town where they live. This is a small town that, like a lot of small towns in America, is struggling to survive as factories shut down and “mom and pop” stores go out of business and families struggle to pay the bills each month and hope to still have a job next month. But it’s also a small town where a man takes in his best friend’s son who becomes an orphan at 15 years old and where a friend faithfully goes by to visit his paraplegic friend. I felt like I got to know the characters in this book, and I cared what was happening to them.
This is Mr. Wall’s debut novel and I am looking forward to his future works.
I received a free e-book in exchange for this honest review.
August 30, 2019
This is the book that kept me up until 2 am because I couldn’t put it down. Wonderful characters, so well written I truly felt I knew them and a story that drew me in and kept me riveted to the end. I highly recommend it and when he writes his next one, I’ll be at Amazon to buy it on day one.
June 14, 2020
A nice story about The Fearsome Foursome group of high schoolers whose lives all take turns none could have expected after a random set of actions. Fast paced, but predictable and too neatly wrapped up with a bow.
September 22, 2020
Slow to begin, but great ending
The story began slow, but ended up being a great story. There were sections I just couldn't put the book away until I knew what happened next. D. K. Was able to write emotion into this story and make you just feel for the characters.
The story began slow, but ended up being a great story. There were sections I just couldn't put the book away until I knew what happened next. D. K. Was able to write emotion into this story and make you just feel for the characters.
March 2, 2021
Best Read Ever
I am a voracious reader but this novel completely captivated me. It will become a classic. The authors true voice reflects the authenticity of his experience, It reached deep into my heart and massaged my soul. A must read
I am a voracious reader but this novel completely captivated me. It will become a classic. The authors true voice reflects the authenticity of his experience, It reached deep into my heart and massaged my soul. A must read
February 7, 2023
The football terminology in the very beginning was tedious for me, but I'm not the biggest football fan. I understand the relevance, though. I loved this novel. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the characters. Some things I predicted would happen, but the surprises were nice, too.
June 9, 2024
Family ties
What I liked was the realty of the storyline. Enjoyed the characters and how fast it moved to next story. It kept it moving . Couldn't put it down. Congratulations on another good read
What I liked was the realty of the storyline. Enjoyed the characters and how fast it moved to next story. It kept it moving . Couldn't put it down. Congratulations on another good read
March 7, 2020
I’m sorry I wasted my time on this one. Just not my cup of tea.
March 13, 2020
Really Great Story
I really enjoyed this wonderful book. The story is such a good one. I would gladly read any book written by this author.
I really enjoyed this wonderful book. The story is such a good one. I would gladly read any book written by this author.
March 23, 2020
Fascinating
I liked his characters and knowing them in high school. Returning to their adults had some interesting twists and turns
I liked his characters and knowing them in high school. Returning to their adults had some interesting twists and turns
August 15, 2020
Characters were without much depth. Plot was a bit contrived. I didn’t find the story or the characters believable.
August 26, 2020
Good!
September 15, 2020
Good story, good characters, nice plot twist at the end. You’ll enjoy this one!
September 30, 2020
Good read
I liked this book a lot. I read it in one day. Some of the twists were predictable but but I just loved the characters
I liked this book a lot. I read it in one day. Some of the twists were predictable but but I just loved the characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews