The Rich Part of Life

by Jim Kokoris

Book Overview

Teddy Pappas is an eleven-year-old boy forced into maturity before his time. He lives with his younger brother and their eccentric Civil War historian father, a man more comfortable with discussing Confederate footwear than what kind of day his sons had. Their lives have been quiet for a year since the real lifeblood of their household, Teddy's mother, died in a tragic car accident. On the one-year anniversary of her death, Teddy's stoic father plays...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312274793
• ISBN13: 9780312274795
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Witty and Charming

Cyndi Lauper was right: Money changes everything, which is the message of this wonderfully charming novel. The Rich Part of Life is full of unique characters, with a wonderful story. When Teddy Pappas' father wins almost $200 million in the lottery, Teddy anticipates that his life will change dramatically. It does, but not in the way he thinks it will. The plot takes many unpredictable turns and has some really hilarious scenes narrated with a deadpan humor from 11 year old Teddy. His observations bring out the notion of how money changes everything, essentially not for the better. Teddy learns to appreciate how lucky he is and how truly rich his life is by the end of the novel, and it's not based on the money. Kokoris accomplishes this with no sentimentality or melodrama, just fine storytelling. Enjoy

I Laughed, I Cried

I have to tell you how much I am enjoying The Rich Part of Life.Kokoris's first sentence is certainly as good as Marquez's in A Hundred Years of Solitude. I love the Pappas family and the various hangers on. What a bunch of terrific characters. And I've had to put the book down a number of times, screaming with laughter--the unwitting bon mots from Aunt Bess--excruciatingly funny! This book is poignant and hilarious, serious and zany--I'm 2/3s the way through and don't want it to end. This is a movie waiting to be made. Kokoris is a real talent, and my new favorite author. I will tell everyone I know to get it.

The Rich Part of Life Earns our Attention

This is a real book filled with real characters who cut across ethnic lines to represent all of us. Theo Pappas, the kind but bumbling professor, reminds me of Stuart Kaminsky's Detective Abe Lieberman, whose humanity and gentleness are refreshing in the cold world we inhabit today. As the book progresses, Theo learns how to be a better father to his two young sons, and the two boys reciprocate. This is a sweet loving story of real "family values." The other characters in the story are well drawn too--Uncle Frank, the failed Hollywood producer, Aunt Bess, and the rest. This is a great read, interesting, involving, and displaying a kindess that our world needs desperately.

Light and funny...a quick read and satisfying...

I was pleasantly surprised that a novel about winning the lottery would have so little to do with actually winning the lottery. The story is much more about a family without connections...you don't understand the distance and conflicts until they're nearly resolved.The characterizations are strong and creative...you have a feeling that you've known them in real life.

The Rich Part of Life

When his widowed father wins a huge lottery prize, the 11 year old narrator finds that "the rich part of life" isn't the money after all--but the lessons he learns about himself and others in his life,especially his curt and stodgy father, who shows his sensitivity as the story unfolds. The gently humorous episodes and characterizations do not detract from the serious plot, but enhance the story.