Did you ever read a book that has you telling every person you come in contact with to read it? Lady Luck’s Map of Vegas is that book for me. I feel the need to go to my local bookstore, stand in the “S” section, and subtly point out this title to all who pass by. This 2006 RITA award winner lived up to all my expectations.

The story, told in a dueling first-person narrative, revolves around mother and daughter Eldora and India Redding. India is trying to piece together her carefully constructed present while dealing with an uncertain future. Eldora needs to work through the demons of her past and finally share them with someone. For a novel with a relatively short page count, Barbara Samuel gives us a clear picture of both women’s lives without a 600-page saga to weigh us down.

India, at age 40, finds herself pregnant. The father, Jack, is a long distance lover who has agreed in the past to not discuss a future. India has good reason for not wanting this pregnancy: her twin sister, Gypsy, is a paranoid schizophrenic. Afraid to subject her child to an illness with hereditary components, but also wanting a family and a husband, has her at odds with herself. To make matters worse, Gypsy recently stopped taking her medication and disappeared. This isn’t the first time, but it is still worrisome. On top of all this her father passed away six months before and she is left to deal with her mother – who is slowly turning into an alcoholic.

Eldora wants to open up to her daughter about her life. She convinces India to drive her to Las Vegas, all the while searching for Gypsy on Route 66. Eldora drops a few bombs on India, totally shaking up her impression of her mother. She starts to see exactly why Eldora is the way she is. I guessed the biggest confession early on. It didn’t, however, take anything away from the powerful effect it has on India when it is revealed.

I loved reading about Eldora and her past. It isn’t all sunshine and roses and she has led her family to believe. She is a strong character who leaps off the pages. Saying too much about her could lead to some spoilers, but I will give you this tidbit: “I don’t suppose she’s considered that I might have some luggage, too. But then, being an ordinary sort of woman, I won’t require the props Eldora needs for staging her life.” This snippet, revealed from India’s point of view, sums up the relationship between mother and daughter at the beginning of the book. It’s a wonderful ride from there.

If I had to pick one word to describe this book it would be “spirit.” There are only three characters (Eldora, India, and Jack) that really have any facetime, yet Samuel invokes the spirit of others making them feel as important to the story – and as real – as the main characters. The Las Vegas setting also has a strong feel to it. While not many scenes take place in Sin City, the overall presence is there.

What a beautiful book about mothers, daughters, sisters, and lovers. Eldora is seriously flawed but owns up to those flaws. Some readers with more delicate sensibilities might be turned off by some of her actions, but that is who Eldora is and without her and her mistakes we wouldn’t have this book. You must read it! Make sure to pass it around when you’re done and let your loved ones experience it, too.