Jamie Ford

A half-Chinese orphan whose mother sacrificed everything to give him a better chance is raffled off as a prize at Seattle's 1909 World's Fair, only to land in the ownership of the madam of a notorious brothel where he finds friendship and opportunities, in a story based on true events.

A Novel

Love and Other Consolation Prizes

Hannah Yang

"my theory," maisie said, "is that the best, worst, happiest, saddest, scariest, and most memorable moments are all connected. those are the important times, good and bad. the rest is just filler."

a tender, atmospheric, yet solemn historical fiction novel based on a true story. in elegant prose and through a colorful cast ('colorful' as in vibrant... but i do always appreciate asian representation in literature) of endearing characters, ford reveals important and often untold aspects of american history and exploitation while raising questions about identity, family, our transactional society, and the different kinds of fulfillment we can find throughout our lives. each character is complex and faces difficult choices about who they would like to be. though at times i felt that the pacing could be faster, i enjoyed watching ernest's, fahn's, and maisie's characters develop in the parallel unfoldings of two world fairs. 

sometimes you need to feel the sadness, you need to feel everything to finally leave it behind, to have peace.

An enchanting tale of innocence and devotion 1909, Seattle. For Ernest Young, the chance to experience the exotic exhibits and carnival rides at the city’s famous World’s Fair feels like the perfect birthday gift. But the half-Chinese orphan finds his world turned upside down when he discovers that he will be a prize, raffled off to ‘a good home’. The winning ticket belongs to the flamboyant madam of a high-class brothel, and so begins Ernest’s new life. His days of hard work are enriched by his friendship with two girls and he believes he’s found the home he has always longed for – until the three begin to grow up and the choices they must make will haunt them for decades. 1962. On the eve of the new World’s Fair, Ernest is juggling memories and the demands of his ailing wife, while trying to hold on to long-held family secrets which threaten to break free. INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY ‘An evocative, heartfelt, beautifully crafted story’ Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale

Jeremy Anderberg

I first read Jamie Ford back in 2011, when I thoroughly enjoyed his debut, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It’s about a couple of kids back in WWII-era Seattle who fall in love (the teenage version) and have to navigate being Asian in that tumultuous period of America's history.

Then a few years later I read The Songs of Willow Frost as soon as it came out. It’s about a 12-year-old orphan in Depression-era Seattle who is convinced his mother is still alive, and a famous actress no less. Also quite enjoyable.

So when his newest book came out I knew I had to read it. And vacation was the perfect time. (Especially a vacation to the Pacific Northwest.)

As you will have noticed, Ford writes (so far) within a rather narrow niche: 20th century historical fiction set in Seattle, featuring teenaged Asian protagonists. His novels tend to bring the reader between multiple periods decades apart to show what the passage of time does to the characters’ memories. Ford is almost Dickensian in his focus on the teenage set and what it’s like to be separated from the main thrust of society.

Anyways, this new book is about a 12-year-old orphan who ends up being raffled off at Seattle's 1909 world's fair and lands at a famed brothel, working as sort of an errand boy and then chauffeur. Love and jealousy ensues. Peppered between important events from 1909 are chapters from 1962, which was the next time Seattle hosted the world's fair. It's great framing for a story and easily transports the reader between the time periods.

I enjoy Ford’s novels because they’re nicely-written stories about young people figuring out the world, and they’re pretty easy reading. At the same time, not everything about them is light and fluffy; there’s still some intense trauma and tragedy, but it’s not all about that. (Plus those tragedies always follow the course of what has actually happened, making it more believable.)

I don’t always want some crazy mystery or intense action plot on vacation. I want something sort of chill, that’s somewhat easy to read, and makes me feel good about humanity. That usually falls into the realm of fiction, but not always. While there are some sad parts, Love and Other Consolation Prizes is ultimately a book about love — falling into it, choosing it, releasing it. It was an excellent vacation read.

Ranked, I’d put this one in the middle of Ford’s three novels. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was probably better, but not by too much.

Love and Other Consolation Prizes A Novel

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