I Just finished reading Jamie Ford’s Love and Other Consolation Prizes, a novel inspired by a true story about a boy whose life is transformed at Seattle’s epic 1909 World’s Fair.

Unfortunately, I disagree from the majority of the reviewers but I am here to give an honest review in a respectful manner.

I am a fan of Mr. Ford and read his other two books. But I must say, on this one, I hardly felt any connection. I couldn’t feel empathy with some of the characters. I sometimes found myself very bored, skimming paragraphs, and would easily put the book down and not want to go back to it. I really craved for more action.

I must say the storyline was very interesting and included topics or themes such as Human Trafficking, Friendship, Love, Prostitution and more. But unfortunately, the story dragged, no high peak moments that would emotionally stir me. I kept on reading and reading waiting for that moment to arrive.

I really expected much more from the author!

Maybe next time...

Sweet story. Likable characters. Although I did enjoy the parallel stories, I would have liked more information about the characters in their later lives. Love Jamie Ford. Read them all!

I really enjoyed the author's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Was hoping thos would be close to that levrl. I felt it was disjointed and it had trouble keeping my attention. Not a great title, in my estimation, not an awful one. Sort of a middlin' title. Looking forward to reading another of Jamie Ford's books in the future.

3.5. / 5 stars
"To Ernest, the fairs were merely bookends, sentinels carved from stone, rooted in bedrock, immovable. His life, Gracie’s life, was the mystery caught in between. That was worth writing about."

This is a compelling novel based on the true story, of a boy who was "raffled off" during the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific-Exposition of 1909. The years between that World's Fair and the one of 1962 contain the tale of three main characters - how they wrestle with their past and determine their future. The pace of the story labored in the middle pages, but I enjoyed the plot and would recommend this to any reader who has "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" on their favorites list.

I was so looking forward to reading this book based upon the description. Unfortunately I was disappointed, the book is one of those that once you finish, you can really sum up the entire story in about 3 or 4 sentences. None of the characters are developed during the book, I didn't feel attached to any members of the family. It touched on the transport of small children to America from countries where their families had sold them for money in the early 1900's to survive and how they coped with their new situations. The entire book just skimmed the surface of each life, it could have been so much better if we could have related and went into the depth of Ernest's married life, his growing up of his children, and the true feelings of how each character felt during their lives and situations. The book is told in present and past tense, sometimes the switch between the two was confusing, and the ending was a nice touch, but not much explanation on the illness. Shallow, is the best word to describe the read.

Love and Other Consolation Prizes was a thoroughly delightful book. While I had never read any of Jamie Fords books prior to this, you can rest assured that I am going to now! This book is written beautifully and seamlessly moves from past to present. His character development is keen while not giving too much away. He has you following his characters to the very last page of the book! It was also interesting from an historical perspective. I did not know anything about the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition. Jamie Ford writes so wonderfully that you find yourself transported there. You are seeing the AYP through the eyes of each character. I will not divulge any more in order not to spoil anything. The only thing I will divulge is that you read this book.

His best one yet.

Jamie Ford has another not-to-be-missed read with "Love and Other Consolation Prizes." Ernest Young is the half-Caucasian son of a poor Chinese woman who abandons Ernest when he is 5 years of age, leaves him to be sent to America, which she believes is the only choice she has. After attending boarding school due to a "benefactor," Ernest's hopes to continue his education are dashed when he is offered as a raffle prize at the 1902 Worlds' Fair. The holder of the winning ticket is the madame of the most successful brothel in Seattle. Ernest makes his new home as a houseboy/chauffeur for Madame Flo and two of her "girls," Mayflower and Fahn. The joys and sorrows and construction of this unlikely family group will grab the reader's heart and not let go.

What a wonderful love story enriched with history of this country and beyond. It was so refreshing to read the truth of what happened to orphan children who came to America years ago.. Society has changed but it is an important part of history everyone should know about. I highly recommend this book, Jamie Ford has a way of writing that draws you in and keeps you there. Another best seller read this book, it will leave you with knowledge and a new look on life

On my To Read pile is Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford. I read the description and knew I would love it and I am hopeful that the story is going to pull me in! Those are the best kinds of books!

Synopsis

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.

see below

A wonderful story of love, loss, humanity, morality, and so much more. The story of Ernest was fascinating and although I kept speculating who he would end up, I think I always knew who it would be in the end. To make a story about a brothel and all the characters involved one I didn't want to put down is quite a feat. Congrats to the author!

Jamie Ford has another wonderful book out. I couldn't put it down. His book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is one of my all time favorites. But his new book, Love and Other Consolation Prizes, has moved me just as much. A biracial Chinese and American boy loses his baby sister and his Mom gives him away thinking he will have a better life if he came to America. Things went quickly down hill from there until he went to Seattle's World Fair in 1909.
This is based off a true story and switches back and forth between Ernest as a growing boy starting in 1902 and his older years with his wife and daughters.
A must read for everybody!!

As a young boy, Ernest's mother put him on a boat bound for the united states. After surviving the journey, Ernest is taken on as a charity student at an elite boarding school. When twelve year old Ernest he tells his benefactress that he wants, he is taken to the World's Fair and auctioned off. He is won by a madam of a brothel, whose women are known for both their beauty and their brains.

The book alternated between a young Ernest and Ernest fifty years later. I thought the elder Ernest story line was unnecessary. It made the book move slowly and took away from the shocks and growth young Ernest experienced. Despite this criticism, the book was well written and mostly entertaining. Overall, worth picking up.

I received early access to this book in exchange for sending honest feedback and I couldn't be more pleased. It was a pleasure to read this story of deep and lasting love.

In the early 1900s Seattle is a town full of vice where foreign-born children, sold or given away by impoverished parents, can wind up auctioned off as servants, as entertainment at a street fair. This is Ernest Young's origin story. Half-white, half-Chinese, Ernest passes through the hands of a moralistic do-gooder before he lands as a minimally paid servant in a house of prostitution. There he becomes friends with two girls. One is a Japanese born girl, another servant, and the second is the secret daughter of the establishment's Madam. Ernest falls in love with both.

The book ties together two stories. One is Ernest's life around 1909, when, as a child, he navaigates the politics of a popular brothel with powerful patrons. The second story is Ernest, circa 1962, navigating the illness of his wife, Gracie, with some help from his two grown daughters.. What ties the two tales together are two world's fair, both of which figure prominently in the lives of Ernest and his two childhood friends.

The book is beautififully evocative of the early 1900s, when Seattle is still a lawless place and there's much to be learned about hypocrisy and the moral war being fought by the wealthy against the downtrodden. But, above all this is a tender love story about love that can last a lifetime and the resiliency of human beings to heal from the most horrid experiences. A very powerful read.

This book spans two world fairs in Seattle: the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909) and the 1962 World’s Fair. The novel is inspired by an actual and incredible event – the auctioning of an orphan at the AYP.

Ernest is a young Chinese boy who arrives from a destitute past to become a charity case boy for a do-gooder matriarch. Although he knows he is better off than in China, Ernest knows he does not fit in. He is half-Chinese, half-Anglo. He is with wealthy students at a school but always tasked with menial work. So when his benefactress decides to takes Ernest to the AYP he is thrilled. But then he learns he is the main event of the fair for that day. He will be auctioned off. Once again, he imagines a precarious future.

Yet the reader knows that Ernest’s fate, although difficult, is not as dire as he imagines. The author begins by interweaving Ernest (now a senior citizen) of 1962 with the Ernest of long ago. Today’s Ernest is also facing challenges of a different type, (but still rooted in his past).

The reader will fall in love with Ernest, as others do in this story. The backdrop of early Seattle – the Fair and the streets is vividly brought to life. Issues of racism, class, the role of women, politics and policing are seamlessly woven into this story. Secondary characters shine. This is historical fiction with heart and meaning.
Thanks to the Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Jamie Ford never disappoints. He has done his homework which serves to enrich the story and the characters. He grabs your attention immediately and takes you on a wonderful journey. Loved it.

What a story, Jamie Ford certainly does NOT disappoint! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books, for the wonderful privilege of reading this advanced copy of Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford, inspired by a true story. A novel about people bought and sold in various degrees. A boy traded by his starving mother in China, brought on a ship to the US, and raffled off at Seattle’s 1909 World’s Fair,then ending up in a high-end brothel. His life transformed several times over by his circumstances, as he surprisingly survives and rises above. Well researched, and a romantic book, with wonderful characters. I highly recommend.

Not my favorite new book. The story was interesting, but I felt it dragged a little bit.

Love and Consolation Prices takes place in two time periods. Young, later Ernest is sent to America from China as a young boy, because his mother is too poor to take care of him in 1902. Upon arrival, he becomes a ward of the state and is placed in different homes. Based on a true story, he is auctioned off as a price in the 1909 Seattle World's Fair and is "won" by the owner of the Tenderloin brothel, as a servant. He is 12 years old at this point. For the first time in young Ernest's life, he becomes part of a "family" and he feels he belongs. He meets other servants, Fahn and others, the daughter ( who is known as a sister) of the Madam , the pianist and others and develops true friendships with them.
The other time period is the early 1960's where Ernest's wife, Gracie is suffering from dementia as a result of syphilis she developed while working as a prostitute. She hardly remembers Ernest or her two daughters. Throughout this time period, not much happens other than one of the daughters, a journalist is doing an article on the 1909 world fair and is trying to recapture Ernest's memories. I thought this part of the book fell flat and didn't really explain what happened between 1911, when the old story ends and 1962. I don't want to give the book away, but I really wanted to hear the connection between Fahn and Gracie, this was not explained at all.
As far as the early period, I found "young Ernest" as Fahn has called him acting way above his age. I had a hard time believing the actions of a 12-14 year old as described in the novel. These are the reasons why I took away two stars from my rating. Otherwise I felt, it was a leisurely tale of the red light district in early 20th century Seattle.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.