Book review: POWERBALLS: Be careful what you wish for.

POWERBALLS: Be careful what you wish for. Jimmy Clifton, Northport Communications, May 6, 2021, Paperback and eBook, 250 pages.

Review by Florence Osmund.

Author Jimmy Clifton’s Powerballs is a cautionary tale about what can potentially happen to ordinary folks who win big in the lottery and fail to seek out advice on how to avoid the dreaded “lottery curse.”

Husband and wife Henry and Rose Ball struggle to make ends meet and keep their marriage from falling apart. Henry hates his boss and wishes he didn’t have to go to work each day. Rose daydreams of a better life, one with someone more exciting than Henry.

When the Balls win a huge Powerball lottery—the answer to their prayers and solution to all their problems—things change fast. They spend scant time planning what they will do with the money and go on separate spending sprees with no concern for what consequences their actions might bring. It doesn’t take long for their lives to become completely out of control.

The story has a slow beginning (which I am sure was intentional), but once it gains momentum, it is filled with so many twists and turns that it is a challenge to keep track of all the players and myriad subplots. Clifton creates a succession of action-packed scenes in exotic and adventurous settings—locales that set the stage for what happens and affect the characters’ mood and behavior—but still maintain balance with the characters’ complicated emotional lives. The right amount of character introspection creates empathy, which is requisite in writing good character-driven fiction.

The characters in Powerballs are interesting and memorable, immersed in layers of personality and history. The author is masterful at developing the relationships that play such important roles in this story. The relationships that Henry and Rose build during their journey influence their decisions and determine their fates. The essence of the story is how the characters evolve over time and how they reevaluate what they want and need out of life. 

Clifton’s writing style is engaging, with short, compelling chapters that keep readers interested and turning pages. His skillful use of vocabulary and ability to weave a fascinating tale make for a captivating narrative.

Powerballs is about the effect that a sudden influx of money can potentially have on one’s perspective on life, what they value and their mental health. What satisfaction can wealth bring? Will it solve problems or create them? Can money buy happiness? Ask Henry and Rose Ball these questions. They know from experience.