The novel Lucky Strike by Nancy Zafris is gentle, funny, sometimes strange and always thought-provoking. The 50's Utah desert setting is full of both magic and danger.

A Mormon uranium prospector (Harry), a bristly widow from Ohio (Jean), her two kids (Beth and Charlie) and …more their new friend (Jo) meet in the Utah desert where they are searching for uranium. Each hopes to stake a claim and make it rich.

Charlie's illness and pluck, Jo's abusive husband, Beth's little-girl perceptions, Harry's fuzzy-headed romanticsim and Jean's conflicted desire make this book rich with feeling.

An undercurrent of irony runs through Lucky Strike as well. We know the dangers of uranium; these characters do not. The tension this produces is unsettling and riveting. (less)