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The Rich Part of Life: A Novel
by Jim Kokoris

Published: 2001-05-18
Hardcover : 336 pages
3 members reading this now
1 club reading this now
2 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members
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 ...
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Introduction

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 his wife's favorite lottery numbers in a tender, uncharacteristic act. When it turns out that the family holds the $190 million winning ticket, their world is instantly transformed.

Seemingly overnight, a host of colorful characters demands their attention, including Teddy's hilarious aunt and uncle, a beautiful divorcée, a desperate former soap opera star, and a menacing stranger who threatens the very core of the family. As events spiral out of control, the family struggles to discover what "the rich part of life" really is.

Featuring a unique father-child bond, Jim Kokoris's moving first novel is flavored with the rich characterizations and poignant charm of early John Irving. Creating the perfect balance of humor and pathos, Kokoris takes us on an unforgettable journey through the ups and downs of this revelation of unexpected wealth.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

Teddy's parents seem so mismatched. What do you imagine their back story to be?
The book has been optioned for a film. Who would you see playing each of the characters?
Teddy's feelings about his father change throughout the book. WHy? Did his father change or did his son simply begin to understand him better?
by Barry1776 (see profile) 05/11/11

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

The Author Will Speak To Your Group Via Phone
by Barry1776 (see profile) 05/11/11
As I mentioned, our club read the book with great delight. That joy was compounded when I went to the author's website and found out that he was willing to talk with our group via phone! He was witty, pleasant, interesting and interested in our opinions and reaction. We recommended the book to another group. They loved it and, again, he made himself available to speak to them!

Member Reviews

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  "A Serious, Yet Funny Book With Fabulous Characters and Wonderful Writing"by Barry B. (see profile) 05/11/11

This terrific novel earned a unanimous thumb's up from our book club! The characters are unique and original, the plot fresh and the humor both unexpected and very touching. The author did... (read more)

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