Lucky Turtle Lib/E

by Bill Roorbach, Brittany Pressley (Narrator)

In this love story, a teenage girl with a checkered past finds instant chemistry with a mysterious stranger.​

When sixteen-year-old Cindra Zoeller is sent to a reform camp in Montana after being involved in an armed robbery, she is thrust into a world of mountains and cowboys and prayers and miscreants and people from all walks of life like she’s never seen in suburban Massachusetts. At Camp Challenge, she becomes transfixed by Lucky, a camp employee of mysterious origin—an origin of constant speculation—and the chemistry between them is instant, and profound. The pair escape together into the wilderness to create an idyllic life far from the reach of the law, living off their resounding love, Lucky’s vast knowledge of the wilderness, and a little help from some friends.
 
But they can run from the outside world for only so long, and the consequences of their naïve fantasy of a future together—and circumstances shaped by skin color—will keep them apart for decades. Cindra gets trapped in a relationship, safely if stultifying suburban, where she is both cosseted and controlled by a man who claims to be her rescuer. But for Cindra, there will never be another Lucky, and she dreams of one day finding him, the only man she’s ever fully trusted, her soulmate.

Page-turning, full of vivid characters, delicious suspense, and ultimately joy, Lucky Turtle is a big- hearted, deeply engrossing love story from one of our most entertaining and perceptive writers.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Coming Of Age, Book Club, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Audio CD

First published April 26, 2022

About the author

Bill Roorbach's newest novel is The Remedy For Love, coming October 2014 from Algonquin Books. Life Among Giants, also from Algonquin, is in development for a multi-year series at HBO, and won the 2014 Maine Literary Award in Fiction. Big Bend: Stories has just be re-released by Georgia in its Flannery O'Connor Award series. Temple Stream is soon to be re-released by Down East Books. Bill is also the author of the romantic memoir SUMMERS WITH JULIET, the novel THE SMALLEST COLOR, the essay collection INTO WOODS. The tenth anniversary edition of his craft book, WRITING LIFE STORIES, is used in writing programs around the world. His short fiction has been published in Harper's, The Atlantic Monthly, Playboy, and dozens of other magazines, journals, and websites, and has been featured on NPR's Selected Shorts, and won an O. Henry Prize. He lives in western Maine where he writes full time.

For more information about Bill Roorbach, see www.billroorbach.com, www.lifeamonggiantsthebook.com, and be sure to enjoy his blog and videos at www.billanddavescocktailhour.com. Follow him on Twitter: @​billroorbach.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook….read by Brittany Presley
….14 hours and 29 minutes

Just imagine….
You have a fifteen year old teenage daughter who gets in trouble with the law —
The judge sends her away to a boarding school for
‘troubled teens’…..”Camp Challenge”…
How do you think you might feel?
You think the trouble stops there?….
Of course not!

Reading - *LISTENING* to ‘Trouble Turtle’…
oops,
rather “Lucky Turtle”…..was like an addictive fever-dream-type read while recovering from my own feverish-body-aches (reaction to the 2nd Shingles vaccine)….
I’m feeling better —
But
…oh my —how do I say this nicely?
The story is a little creepy kinky…
It’s not exactly a lifetime- movie-style book…it’s not schlocky…(not completely)…Lily King loved it….
and
I certainly didn’t hate it!
But ….
I felt like I needed a long hot shower after finishing it!
(you can laugh now)

…I admit being swept away with the luminescent-pathos….
(it could have been shorter though) - but perhaps the length was to give it that floating-foggy-swept-away-dreamy-land-feeling?/!

I enjoyed it - in its own bizarre way …
Ha…
in the same way I love a few people who have ‘Borderline Personally Disorders….
(I love them - but wish I could change them)….lol…

There was definitely an unsettling theme running through those Montana mountains (plenty of characters to meet, drama, suspense, death, love, hunger, danger, *craziness*)…..

Cindra falls in love with Lucky…(a driver-employee from the reform school).
I guess it’s true when they say “no two love stories are alike”!

I enjoyed the parts in San Francisco —
…. I know what it ‘feels’ like walking towards the Embarcadero…
….’more’ than I relate to the sounds of coyotes at night near me — but my appreciation grew for the “Crazy Woman Mountains” of Montana. The wildlife, topography, and changing seasons added natural beauty to a complicated love story.
…..oh…. and in case one Turtle guy (tall and walks a little bowlegged) isn’t enough for you —
….you’ll be introduced later in the book to a pint size Turtle toddler — *Ricky* — named after Ricky ….
Ricky Ricardo…..of the I Love Lucy show.
It all makes sense! Ha!

Truth …. I liked this goofy book enough to want to read other books by Bill Roorbach.

NOTE…. There are dozens of different ways people could write a review for it.
I think I’ll sit back and enjoy what others have to say…
But ….
ALSO NOTE…..
I’m rating this book 4 stars for its pure escapism screwing pleasure …. (keeping me company while my shingles #2 vaccine had a party in my body)…
BUT…..
it may become a popular book…
YET….
I also think it’s one that readers could have a field day with finding faults —
That said - even with the faults — I think there is a large general population of readers who will enjoy it.
As for the doubters….
I can understand tossing it out the window as much as the next guy..

4 stars anyway! There ‘was’ some beautiful writing!

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vurry good book. Vurry.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley and Algonquin Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Roorbach's most recent book.
4.5 stars
What a marvel of characters, plot, description, and (rare in my reading of late) happy ending. AND, Roorbach tells this story through the voice of a teen pregnant girl and did so with nary a false word. I have already mentioned this to several friends as one to put on their TBRs.
I look forward to two things. Seeing him this weekend at Booktopia and reading his back list.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Roorbach is so fun! If you get a chance to see him in person, please do! His latest novel, tells the story of Lucky Turtle through Cindra Zoeller, who is sent to Church camp in Montana after being convicted of a serious crime at the age of 17. Continuing to rebel, she and Lucky run away and hide out in the wilderness with some help. Most of the story is about that summer, interspersed with passages from Cindra's life now. It is a lengthy story and I mostly enjoyed it, although I didn't always have patience for it. I recommend it for the nature descriptions as well as the evolution of Cindra and Lucky's story.

[Ruth]

Quarter of the way through and I just don't care.

[Alena]

I got half way through, put it down, and two weeks later have no desire to open it again. Some books are not meant to be.

[Emily Nicoletta · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Lucky Turtle was repulsive.

I have read books that handled the topic of grooming and predatory relationships ethically with a healthy amount of “ick” and cautionary approach from beginning to end - but Lucky Turtle is absolutely not an example of this based on the nearly 50% of the book I was able to stomach.

Not only is a relationship between a grown man of authority and a vulnerable, incarcerated teenage girl completely romanticized and pushed forward with a “star crossed lovers” and “he saved her from a worse fate” narrative, but there were completely separate 3rd party adults in this book who actively supported and helped them hide their relationship. Some were even openly wishing for him to get her pregnant…Inexcusable and revolting.

I can only hope justice is served for this pedophile and his compatriots later on in this book, but I’m not sticking around to find out. I’m done.

[Liz Willard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one I’m struggling to rate. The characters and their relationships are quirky and fascinating, but that wasn’t enough to keep my interest. It took me a long time to read this one, which is never a good sign. But I’m not sorry I read it… so 3?

[Kim Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 80 pages dealt with molestation, abuse, cruel treatment and absolutely left me unsettled.
I had heard the author speak and he explained that Lucky Turtle was based on someone important to him and how he wanted to express his feelings for this person who had a huge impact in his life and ultimately give that person a better life than the actual life. Due to that, I persevered.

This is a love story. Family is what you make it. Love of nature, love of others, love between 2 people, parental/child love, love between friends. This is also a story of hate with strong racism from white supremacy groups. It eventually bounces from past to present including touching on Covid 19.
I am so glad I stayed with it. I think this book will stay with me for a long time but in a good way.

[Nancy Graben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A teenager makes bad choices that land her in a rehabilitation community that has dark secrets.

[Gina Ulicny · Rating 1 out of 5]

2 out of 10 at best So… Didn’t love it. Okay, didn’t even like it at all. Very easy to put down. Very difficult for me to pick back up and read again. It was for book club. Book club helped me appreciate some of it… Realizing that it was the telling of a journey… That really didn’t lead anywhere. The two main characters never seem to grow/change/progress in their life. Very difficult to relate to. Some of it I thought was just not believable… Too over the top. Meandering to tell a story that was never clear, or interesting. Didn’t really care about any of the characters. There was just no depth to them. So surface.

I was very surprised to not care for the book, and to not even be intrigued by the authors writing. I had high hopes. I know some people will enjoy this… I think it’s the people who lived Where the Crawdads Sing. Not sure which one I would rate lower. Just so not my favorites. Oh well…

(I’m just starting my first Balducci. One chapter in and it’s 10 times better than either of those!)

[avatanis · Rating 2 out of 5]

some nice motifs and stories but mostly:
- terrible depiction of indigenous people by white man
- very patterned writing that gets sooooo old
- in the beginning the protagonist constantly refers to future therapists and it seems like they have a point!
- bill roorbach loves to overcomplicate simple statements, which is fitting to the insufferable protagonist but sooooooo obnoxious to read
- don’t think flashing back and forward makes sense for the story and it allows a really weird breaking of the 4th wall by the end but in a way that does not aid the story whatsoever. it enters a weird journal format by the end but that was never established in the beginning
- I don’t like hearing a man write from a woman’s perspective “I hope he sees that I’ve kept my figure”

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book vurry much. The characters are wonderfully drawn and there is a good story here although I did find it a bit overly sentimental at times and also a bit repetitive (i.e. I only have to be told once that “braids are forward for power”). The pacing was excellent. Overall this was an enjoyable reading experience and I will be looking for Roorbach’s other books…I understand he is a Booktopia favorite but he must’ve been there in a year I did not attend.

I look forward to meeting him at Booktopia 2022.

[Brooke Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Challenging to stick with it. Almost DNF many times. Kind of glad I didn’t? Some value to the story. Loved descriptions of nature and love. Enjoyed the end. Because it picked up pace and because it meant I am done. I don’t know if it was actually a bad book, I just don’t think it was for me. I’d like to know how “Kirkus reviews” found this to be “sexiest man seen in literature for a good long time”. Yikes. Definitely not.

[Pia]

I’m not quite sure how to feel about this book since I nearly gave up around page 150, but it finally takes a turn and then it’s hard to believe it’s the same book. Ultimately what I liked about it is that it’s the kind of story I’d want to write (but I’d tell it quite differently).

[Peggy Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful book. I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced. My first book by Bill Roorbach but definitely won’t be my last.

[Jake · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, I did not like this. A promising beginning, way too long middle, and a "so-what?" happy ending.

[LeeAnna Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucky Turtle is a sweet surprise from a writer I am glad to have discovered. The story unfolds in the unlikely setting of a juvenile delinquent camp for girls in the outback of Montana. sixteen year old Cindra is an accessory to her boyfriend’s crime and is remanded to the camp from her home in Boston. Soon she is a fugitive from the camp and begins a life altering adventure with Lucky Turtle in the remote hills of Montana. The serious side of Lucky Turtle touches on themes of racism and the insanity of radical militia groups that have taken root in rural America. But Roorbach injects the plot with humor and romance. Lucky Turtle caused me to belly laugh and cry big tears. The characters found a spot in my heart and in my memory.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Mary Stokesbary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

This was an amazing book. Deeply poignant and moving. I would recommend it to everyone I know.

There was nothing about this book that I didn’t like, except for the fact that it ended.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book I’ve read this year so far. It was so hard to put down! Such a beautiful, brilliantly written story that I’m going to be thinking about for a long time. Also, it is the first book I’ve read that has mentioned the pandemic and I think it was done in the best way possible.

[Tksnpm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled stubbornly to make it halfway. Only made it to 42 percent.

Q: What 1990s teenage girl talked like this ever?
A: NONE!!!

And, somehow, I made it to page 162 without realizing how old Lucky is! He was born during Vietnam, Cindra in 1980. So, when the book starts, he's like 30 and she is turning seventeen. Ick!!!

Then, just now, on page 175? He killed an adult deer with Bunny Slayer! ?? Give me a break.

Horrible and insufferable. I'm done.

Zero stars. Zero, zero, zero! (Why must I round up to one?!!)

[isabelledubose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actually so bad. An old man writing from the point of view of a young 17 year old girl does not rub me the right way. I had trouble picking this book up and going through the many alarming sexual scenes with this young girl and men who are so old they could be her dad. Made it 150 pages and gave up. Don’t waste your time. If there were a 0 stars option, I would give it just that.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written love story. 15 year old Cindra is sent to Challenge Camp after committing a crime. She is to have no contact with her family for 6 months. She meets Lucky who tells her they were destined to be together. Full of very vivid characters this had me reading far past my bedtime!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. What an amazing writer and storyteller!

[Susan Krutzler]

Not for me. It’s not a bad book. I’m just not interested in the amount of graphic with animals, nature, sex, racism….not my favorite thing to read about. Will skip this one.

[Peter Albertelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Marvin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, stupid, stereotypical characters, acting out a lame tale.

[T. Rosado · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I read this 10 months ago and didn't write any kind of review, but the story found a closet in my brain and set up house there. Whenever I see the cover of this book, fond memories come back.

Lucky Turtle is a bit coming-of-age story, part survival story, with some second-chance romance thrown in. It's hard to nail down any one genre, but overall, it's highly evocative, running the gamut of emotionally pulled strings. It starts at a reform camp in Montana for teens where Cindra meets Lucky, fends off a sexual predator, and runs away for a summer of love and survival in the wilderness. Fast forward to adulthood where that summer is a distant, but unforgettable memory until Cindra has a chance to find Lucky again. In addition to the suspense and romance, it was filled with an eclectic and entertaining cast of characters along with secret revelations and a satisfying conclusion. I will absolutely be looking at Roorbach's backlist.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. I loved this story and I can’t even tell you why. How can a story be devastation and joy? Depict hardship and fortune? My emotions ran the gamut as I both fell in love and became exasperated with the characters - characters I was deeply invested in by the end of the novel.

I found the syntax of the story to be a bit of a challenge initially, but once I understood how it aided the storytelling, I read with ease. And despite the rather slow flow of the plot, it added to the idealistic optimism of the young characters as they navigated a world separate from reality.

Roorbach beautifully highlights the complexities within society and humanity, immersing readers in a rich, intricate, perfectly imperfect world.

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.