A Handbook to Luck Audiobook

" You've got to enjoy this book. There are some problems with the plot, which never came together as I expected it to, but the dialog is sharp and funny and the individual scenes work well. "

" This was a book I kept wanting to read, which is pretty high praise from me. Christina Garcia is a good writer and managed to draw up 3 different characters and, as seems to be so popular now, tell a "story" alternating their POVs. Like the movie "Crash," the three immigrants from different countries fall together eventually and by accident, which ends up being why their three stories are being told together. Sort of. The title, I think, must be providing us a hint to another reason. They all have pretty crappy luck, one more crappy than the others, however. I don't know, I enjoyed reading this book, and felt satisfied by the end, but can't really say why. Read it; see what you think. I would definitely read something by Garcia again. "

" Story is of three young people growing up in different parts of the world, living very different lives. The story alternates between each of their existences as they grow up through the years dealing parents, children, love and work. As usual, I love the international-ness of it. While some of it takes place in the USA, none of the characters are Eurasian white, nor second generation American. From the book cover, I knew the characters would intersect, so I was really curious to see how that would happen. It is done in a very small world way, but also helps you realize that each person you run into has a very unique experience. Even before reading this book, I would imagine that history about the people I meet. We each have our own stories to tell. That reminder was the major lesson of this book for me. "

" This novel really intrigued me, particularly in the ways that it draws characters from different national origins and ethnicities into some of the same spaces and storylines. "

" I read this because Michelle did. I was frustrated with all the different characters and storylines. I was more interested in some than others. "

" The way Cristina Garcia weaves the stories of several, very unique characters together in "A Handbook to Luck" reminds me of a beautiful Mayan tapestry. Each color and line stands out individually, but also works in concert with the others to create a wonderful work of art. "

" Interesting characters & story. I'm still intrigued by the title. "

" Garcia always weaves wonderful stories full of amazing characters. "

" One of her best. I enjoyed all of the characters in the book and found it so amazing the ways their lives intertwined. The book had lots of insight into the lives of people in Los Angeles. "

" Oddly familiar - kind of like a pastel version of the movie Crash - or Volver. skip the book, watch the movies. "

" cuban father(magician) and son (math and poker whiz. life in vegas for them after death of mother....guilt/blame around the accidental death. "

" I liked this one as much as Dreaming in Cuban. I can't say that about any of her other novels. "

" Anyone who loves Latino literature and novels which capture the reality that the personal is political, and vice versa. "

" The stories of Enrique from Cuba, Marta from El Salvidor, and Leila from Iran were captivating! Garcia wove a great story of their desires, their cultures, fitting into America while yet remaining true to themselves, and how one decision can change the course of our lives. "

" I had to read this for class and ended up really liking it!! "

" Excellent Christina Garcia magical realism. I thought as good as Dreaming in Cuban. "

" An excellent book with several individual stories intertwined. "

" not sure whether to label it 'shorts' or not - each chapter stands as a short story, but the characters and story lines pick back up after visiting a few other locations & people. i really enjoyed this book. "

" Novel weaves the stories of 3 different people over a 20-year span. Each tells about the unfulfilled dreams and how they attempt to alter their fate. A bit depressing. "

" This is one of those books where the 3 main characters seem to have completely separate lives (in this case one is from Iran, one El Salvador, and one a Cuban living in America), yet by the end of the book the 3 lives are intertwined. It was good, but the ending wasn't very satisfying for me. "

" great characters dealing with real shit. "

" A quick read. Nothing ground breaking but the well written characters make it a good time. "

" Garcia always weaves wonderful stories full of amazing characters. "

" Interesting characters & story. I'm still intrigued by the title. "

" great characters dealing with real shit. "

" cuban father(magician) and son (math and poker whiz. life in vegas for them after death of mother....guilt/blame around the accidental death. "

" The way Cristina Garcia weaves the stories of several, very unique characters together in "A Handbook to Luck" reminds me of a beautiful Mayan tapestry. Each color and line stands out individually, but also works in concert with the others to create a wonderful work of art. "

" You've got to enjoy this book. There are some problems with the plot, which never came together as I expected it to, but the dialog is sharp and funny and the individual scenes work well. "

" A quick read. Nothing ground breaking but the well written characters make it a good time. "