From the bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet comes a powerful novel, inspired by a true story, about a boy whose life is transformed at Seattle’s epic 1909 World’s Fair.“An evocative, heartfelt, beautifully crafted story that shines a light on a fascinating, tragic bit of forgotten history.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale For twelve-year-old Ernest Young, a … Nightingale
For twelve-year-old Ernest Young, a charity student at a boarding school, the chance to go to the World’s Fair feels like a gift. But only once he’s there, amid the exotic exhibits, fireworks, and Ferris wheels, does he discover that he is the one who is actually the prize. The half-Chinese orphan is astounded to learn he will be raffled off—a healthy boy “to a good home.”
The winning ticket belongs to the flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel, famous for educating her girls. There, Ernest becomes the new houseboy and befriends Maisie, the madam’s precocious daughter, and a bold scullery maid named Fahn. Their friendship and affection form the first real family Ernest has ever known—and against all odds, this new sporting life gives him the sense of home he’s always desired.
But as the grande dame succumbs to an occupational hazard and their world of finery begins to crumble, all three must grapple with hope, ambition, and first love.
Fifty years later, in the shadow of Seattle’s second World’s Fair, Ernest struggles to help his ailing wife reconcile who she once was with who she wanted to be, while trying to keep family secrets hidden from their grown-up daughters.
Against a rich backdrop of post-Victorian vice, suffrage, and celebration, Love and Other Consolations is an enchanting tale about innocence and devotion—in a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale.
Praise for Love and Other Consolation Prizes
“Exciting . . . [Jamie] Ford captures the thrill of first kisses and the shock of revealing long-hidden affairs.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Strong . . . A laudable effort that shines light on little known histories.”—Library Journal
“Poignant . . . Vibrantly rendered.”—Booklist
“Combining rich narrative and literary qualities, the book achieves a multi-faceted emotional resonance. It is by turns heart-rending, tragic, disturbing, sanguine, warm, and life-affirming. Perceptive themes that run throughout culminate at the end. A true story from the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition inspired this very absorbing and moving novel. Highly recommended.”—Historical Novel Society (Editors’ choice)
“Ford is a master at shining light into dark, forgotten corners of history and revealing the most unexpected and relatable human threads. . . . A beautiful and enthralling story of resilience and the many permutations of love.”—Jessica Shattuck, author of The Women in the Castle
“All the charm and heartbreak of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet . . . Based on a true story, Love and Other Consolation Prizes will warm your soul.”—Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls
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A poignant love story with historical roots, the tale flips from past to the current time the book takes place It isn’t until near the end that you learn who the main character chooses for his soulmate. A softer look at the red light district. Enjoyable read.
For me, this was a book I enjoyed more a week after I’d read it — which is not to say I wasn’t immersed in it during the reading. The juxtaposition of the two World’s Fairs was fascinating on many levels (especially since I’d been to the 1962 version myself). Lots to think about in terms of social changes, suffrage, race, feminism, mental health … but never descends to the preachy. I liked it a lot.
Characters were interesting and a bit unpredictable. Good story.
This is a very well written book with engrossing characters. I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the Seattle history details and was inspired to look up more historical details. I highly recommend this book.
Not as good as his others.
Excellent story and expertly written! I highly recommend this book. Historical fiction set in Seattle, the story of a young boy taken by human traffickers from China in 1902 and his subsequent survival in Seattle up to the 1962 world’s fair. Jamie Ford is a really great writer; don’t hesitate to read this book.
Jamie Ford is one of my favorite authors. He always tells a story that is believable and entertaining. The only problem I had with the book was the original cover. It didn’t showcase such a sad, but interesting story. I find stories such as these about the poor treatment of Asian/Americans in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s in some of the big west coast cities in the USA to be highly interesting, but also disgusting because they are true.
You would think that a story about a young boy being raffled off and then forced to work in a brothel would be hard to read emotionally. But, the author has such a positive storytelling style that I found myself totally drawn into Earnest’s tale. The first couple of chapters are difficult as the horrible things that happen set up the rest of the story. It is hard to imagine that human trafficking, giving away children, and prostitution were so accepted in our nation’s history (early 1900’s), especially regarding those of Asian descent.
This story tells of those horrors, but does it from the eyes of those involved in the situations. It showed that those who survived did so by staying positive, and making the best of the situations they found themselves in. This is a story of friendship, loyalty, unconditional and sacrificial love, forgiveness, family, and hope. Secrets that were kept are revealed, bonds are strengthened, and memories bring healing.
I enjoyed this book and the characters. Definitely a book I highly recommend!
Loved this story, reminiscent of works by Lisa See. The Chinese culture is fascinating.
excellent story again by jamie ford
Another great book by this author. I love the characters the story and the setting.
An excellent book -right in the character and vein of Ford’s previous books. I was intrigued by his ability to keep the identity of the protagonists wife in conclusive during most of the book. It could have been either one of two girls he knew as a teenager. In addition, the historical references were accurate and well placed. I’m eagerly awaiting Ford’s next book but it will probably be a couple years away.
I loved this book. It takes you through many twists & turns & let’s you know what love is all about.
This was a very interesting book, inspired by a true event at the Seattle World Fair . This story, goes between Yung’s childhood in 1902, when Yung a five year old half breed, Part Chinese part white European, which would make him an outcast in both worlds, lived in dire poverty with his mother who could not make ends meet, and she tells him “Only two kinds of people in China, The rich and the too poor.” Then tells him to wait for his “Uncle” who is going to take him to America.
He leaves on a ship for Seattle, Washington, and after seven years there, and given the name Ernest Young, where he has gone through reformatories and boarding schools, always looking for a sense of family, but never finding it. Then in 1909 at the Seattle world fair, he is led to believe he is finally going to be adopted into a good family, but is instead given to the winning number of a raffle ticket. The winning ticket owner is a Madame Flora, who runs a high-class brothel, called the Tenderloin, and actually here he does find a family. He becomes good friends with Madame Flora’s daughter Maisie and a maid Fahn who he actually had met on the boat to Seattle.
The other part of the story, which goes back and forth throughout the book takes place in 1962, with Ernest now and older man, Gracie and Margaret and Ernest’s two grown daughters, Hanny and Juju, who want to find out more about their father and mothers past.
This story has a great story line and a lot of fun characters.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC copy of this book.