Title: Gambling for Good Mail
Author: Evelyn Cole
Publisher: URLink Print & Media
Genre: Fiction / Satire
ISBN: 978-1-64367-924-2
Pages: 336
Reviewed by: Nicole Olson
Hollywood Book Reviews
With impeccable attention to detail – author Evelyn Cole tells the story of Felicia Thorpe Felletta Papadakis Haggarty Wood. This eccentric character with a slew of surnames belonging to ex-husbands and a penchant for collecting mail order items returns to her uncle’s home to visit, after her most recent husband leaves her after becoming tired of living among her horde of trinkets, gadgets, and statues.
This is a hilarious “coming of age” story for adults follows Felicia as she must come to terms with her past and make a future for herself without relying on another husband. The author includes the funniest of details all through the lens of the main character who also serves as the narrator. We learn a great deal about Felicia in the first few chapters – she has been married four times, it doesn’t seem she is quite over her last husband and she has a problem buying useless trinkets and gadgets. Though she is bewildered about Hugo leaving her – she takes it as an opportunity to visit her brother and Uncle on the other side of the country.
While Felicia has some cringey characteristics – her optimism and innocence redeem her. She is just like any other woman; she has very common fears and insecurities. She worries about being fat and being unable to find love ever again. While Felicia travels, we find her doing some soul searching within herself. She learns more about her past as well as her brother’s. He seems haunted as soon as he comes into the story. While he loves and cares for his sister – he lives knowing the amount of pain a failed marriage can inflict on a family. Her father is estranged from his daughter and does not even know where she lives. He seems annoyed by Felicia as soon as she arrives and will not open up to her.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves drama and eccentric characters. Evelyn Cole writes in an elevated and interesting voice that is fun to read. Though over 300 pages long Gambling For Good Mail can be read in a single day – it is quite the page turner. The dramatic plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats all while cheering for poor Felicia. While much of her character is not admirable, her situation is possibly enviable. Though she is alone – she gets a fresh start to life. She can choose to do anything – and it is exciting to see the choices she makes.