Review of Lights Out Lizzie

[John Judah]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Lights Out Lizzie" by James Hanna.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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In Lights Out Lizzie by James Hanna, we meet Gertie McDowell, a 24-year-old woman recently released from prison after accidentally getting involved in drug trafficking. When she reunites with her old friend Wanda Sue, Gertie never expects to join a quirky Christian women’s wrestling group. Along with three other misfit women, Gertie embarks on an unpredictable journey that leads her to Houston, where she shocks everyone by becoming the reigning champion. However, the real trouble starts for her when Leo Hawke, who is the head of World Wrestling Productions, employs her for a unique show to entertain American soldiers in Afghanistan. Upon arrival in Kandahar, Gertie is kidnapped by the Taliban, and she soon finds herself torn between her growing affection for a local doctor and the terrifying prospect of execution by stoning at the hands of a village cleric.

This book is an absolute comedic gem. James Hanna’s writing strikes the perfect balance between humor and absurdity, with Gertie’s misadventures leading to genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. Her naive but determined personality makes her both relatable and endearing. The story moves at a quick pace, with unexpected twists keeping you engaged. Hanna also subtly addresses deeper themes like war, women’s rights, and personal choices, adding layers of meaning beneath the comedy.

What makes Lights Out Lizzie truly stand out is the cast of characters. Gertie’s blend of innocence and chaos gets her through the most unlikely situations, while the supporting characters, such as Samoa Moa and Sheeva, bring their own quirks and charm to the story. Gertie’s cultural clash in Afghanistan leads to some of the funniest moments, and even the most minor characters leave a lasting impression.

There’s nothing about this book that felt out of place. The plot is unpredictable and fresh, and the book is professionally edited with just one noticeable error. Because of its humor, well-drawn characters, and thoughtful exploration of serious topics, I’m giving Lights Out Lizzie by James Hanna a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

I’d recommend it to anyone who loves witty, entertaining stories that also provide food for thought.

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Lights Out Lizzie
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Alex Essien]

How John reviews the book makes it interesting to read. I'm definitely adding the book to my book selves!

[Yasmine ZM]

I enjoyed reading this review. I didn't read a comedic story like this for a long while. The events in the story are unpredictable: the way the main character went from prison (by being an accidental criminal), to wrestling... and then later to find herself captive. For some reason, I believe there must be people out there in real life who are just like this character. I hope it all ends well for Lizzie. I like that the book doesn't just offer the comical part of a story but it explores other serious subjects.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

Wow what a plot! The comparison between the Taliban, a female Christian wrestler and an abduction makes for a compelling read. Gertie is charming and sounds like she can stand up for herself, so let’s see. Thanks for the review.

[Leen282]

Already the description of the book on Amazon, made me smile. The review here made me add it to my reading list. I like humour, unpredictable plot twists, naive protagonists... And the extra layer where women's rights and personal choices are touched upon, will only add to the pleasure of reading this book.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

I love James Hanna's sense of humor! Humor is a fantastic tool for addressing deeper (often grim) societal issues. The premise of a Christian wrestling league going to Afghanistan is so whacky that I'm willing to embrace it. Great review!

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"Lights Out Lizzie" by James Hanna is a wild, hilarious ride. From quirky women’s wrestling to being kidnapped by the Taliban, Gertie’s journey is full of laughs and unexpected twists. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Brienna Cooper]

Great review! All I can say is, WOAH! This book caught me way off guard! I NEVER would have guessed the plot just on the title alone. I could infer that wrestling was involved after seeing the cover, but even that is seemingly a mere portion of the story. All of these pieces put together are more than enough of an incentive to give this a read because it all just seems so out-of-pocket!

[Seetha E]

Something about the book started off giving a feel of a serious book; life inside a Taliban settlement. The review indicates lighter notes with an outrageously unique Gertie. I think this is a great way to subtly tackle underlying topics. Surely adding this to my reading list.

[Bertha Jackson]

Gertie sounds like a fascinating and unique character. The idea of mixing Christian wrestling with the Taliban sounds intriguing. Thank you for your informative review.

[Sabahat Soomro]

This review made me want to add the book to my reading list. I love humour, unexpected plot twists, and naive protagonists. I assume there are people in real life who are similar to this character. I hope everything goes well for Lizzie. The added discussion of women's rights and personal choices will make the reading experience even better for me.

[Jorge Leon Salazar]

This peculiar book offers an unpredictable, witty and entertaining plot. I would not have imagined that a Christian women's wrestling group could exist. Gertie seems like a charming character because of her naivety and determination. The blend of humor and absurdity, the well-drawn characters and the thoughtful exploration of serious topics such as war, women's rights and personal choices are appealing features.

[Naghma Qureshi]

The plot sounds humorous and intriguing. The review is interesting and raises hope from the book.

[Gerry Steen]

A humorous book with interesting topics: Women's wrestling, the Taliban, women's rights, and war. How will the Taliban deal with an American female professional wrestler? The story moves quickly.

[Miracle Oge Adaeze]

How does one get accidentally involved in drug trafficking? I will really love to read the book to know. Thank God I got it for free.