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“A fantastic novel. . . . You are going to like this a lot.”—Stephen King

“What’s more thrilling than a fictional character speaking to us in a voice we haven’t heard before, a voice so authentic and immediate—think Huck Finn, Holden Caulfield, Mattie Ross—that we suspect it must’ve been there all along, that we somehow managed to miss it?  Daniel, the protagonist of Will Leitch’s smart, funny, heartbreaking new novel How Lucky, is just such a voice, and I’m not sure it will ever completely leave my head, or that I want it to.”—Richard Russo

For readers of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Nothing to See Here, a first novel as suspenseful and funny as it is moving, the unforgettable story of a fiercely resilient young man living with a physical disability, and his efforts to solve a mystery unfolding right outside his door. 

Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia.  He’s got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy—despite the fact that he’s suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. 

Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he’s not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he’s almost sure he sees her being kidnapped...

In Will Leitch's captivating novel, "How Lucky," we embark on a poignant journey of resilience, love, and the unexpected turns life can take. Protagonist Lucky Karlsson, a charming and ambitious young man yearning for success, finds himself entangled in the whirlwind of the 1980s stock market boom. As Lucky navigates the treacherous waters of high finance, he grapples with the moral complexities of the business world and the relentless pursuit of wealth.

Leitch's writing vividly captures the exuberance and greed of the era, painting a vivid backdrop against which Lucky's personal and professional struggles unfold. Through his interactions with a colorful cast of characters, from ruthless financiers to steadfast friends, Lucky grapples with questions of integrity, loyalty, and the true meaning of success. As he navigates the cutthroat world of Wall Street, he discovers that the pursuit of wealth comes at a steep price.

In parallel, Leitch delves into the personal lives of Lucky and his loved ones, exploring the complexities of family dynamics, romantic relationships, and the search for fulfillment. Lucky's relationships with his wife and children, as well as his complicated bond with his larger-than-life father, add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

"How Lucky" is a thought-provoking exploration of the American Dream, the allure of wealth, and the sacrifices one might make in pursuit of it. With his signature wit and sharp storytelling, Leitch weaves a compelling tale that delves into the slippery slope between ambition and morality. This novel is a poignant reminder that true success is not measured solely by material wealth but by the strength of our relationships, the integrity of our choices, and the impact we make on the world.