Willy Vlautin delivers another quietly devastating, deeply humane novel in The Left and the Lucky!

At its core, this is a novel about unlikely connection and fragile redemption. Eddie, a house painter carrying the weight of personal loss and a life that hasn’t quite gone to plan, finds himself drawn into the orbit of Russell, his vulnerable young neighbour navigating neglect and violence at home. What unfolds is not a dramatic rescue narrative, but something far more affecting: a slow, tentative bond built through small acts of care, presence, and recognition. The dialogue, in particular, feels authentic and lived-in—characters speak in ways that reveal as much in what they avoid as in what they say.

What makes this novel stand out is its refusal to simplify its characters. No one is purely good or irredeemably bad; even the most difficult figures are drawn with a degree of empathy that complicates easy judgment. This is not an easy read emotionally—it’s often heartbreaking—but it is deeply rewarding.

A moving, understated novel that I would highly recommend to readers of literary fiction who appreciate character-driven stories with emotional depth. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Eddie's friends are a band of misfits. His employee, Houston, is an alcoholic who may or may not show up at work. His 'wife,' Marlene, is an addict who moves far away. All he has is his dog, Early and his painting job, which admittedly he doesn't love.

8-year-old Russell moves in next door to Eddie with his brother, Curtis and his mother, Connie. Curtis makes everyone's life a living hell with his fits of violence and terror. In and out of juvie, Curtis cannot be controlled by his absent mum Connie. In an effort to protect Russell, Eddie gives him small tasks and responsibilities. The Left and The Lucky follows the unlikely duo, Eddie and Russell in their story of loneliness, hope and friendship.

I can't remember the last time that I stayed up until 1am, refusing to go to bed because I was reading. All in all, it took less than 24 hours for me to finish this book; I absolutely devoured it. I was so invested in innocent little Russell's story and how it entwinned in Eddie's empty life. Eddie and Russell fill gaps in each other's lives in ways they don't realise. I can't say I had a favourite character either because each person had their own perfectly written life, loss and flaws.

The writing is plain but powerful and made me both laugh and cry. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants both a heart-wrenching and heartwarming read. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

Willy Vlauton's latest novel, The Left and The Lucky, tells the story of a friendship between house painter Eddie and the 8 year old Russell. The latter comes from a dysfunctional home, and the former is just trying to help. In typical Vlautin style, the prose is crisp, yet emotional, and he allows his characters time to breathe on the page and come to vivid life. There is always a quiet charm to his work, and this is very evident here. The Left and The Lucky is another quiet slice American life, beautifully written and emotionally engaging. I swept through it in one sitting, fully invested in the lives of his characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.