mariahhanley's review against another edition
5.0
As I read this book, I kept thinking “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” Jamie Ford tells the stories of Seattle in a way most can’t and from the perspective of those who most won’t.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the best kind of blend of historical and fiction. A wonderful story, compelling characters and at every turn a new tidbit about Seattle's history. I enjoyed the entire book from start to finish.
tehlanna's review against another edition
4.0
Ernest Young is an orphaned Chinese boy who is raffled off at the World’s Fair to a woman who runs a prestigious brothel in Seattle’s garment district. Ernest finds a sense of family and belonging, friendship and affection. Despite their environment, the characters embody an innocence that tugs at the heart. They struggle with grown-up worries and child-like love, and that always strikes a particular chord with me.
hollyg35's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Trafficking, Dementia, Racism, and Rape
lindasdarby's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and read it really quickly. It was fascinating and the main characters are all quite well developed - especially Ernest. I liked a lot of aspects about the story but I think I may have liked it better if it hadn’t been written with the back and forth between Ernest as a youth and adult. I didn’t feel like the storyline of his daughter’s added that much and it took away from the rhythm of the story. All in all though I really thought this was a great book.
annebennett1957's review
3.0
I wanted to love this book but found quite a bit of problems with the story and the writing. What I did like was all the references to Seattle history and landmarks. I also appreciated Ford's author notes at the end of the book to expand on his muses for creating this interesting story bookended by the two world's fairs. We had a good book discussion with my club.
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2021/06/review-and-quotes-love-and-other.html
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2021/06/review-and-quotes-love-and-other.html
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Based on a real life event and weaving back and forth in time, Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford is a bittersweet novel about a mixed race Chinese orphan who is raffled off during the 1909 World's Fair.
The 1962 World's Fair in Seattle proves to be quite illuminating to Ernest Young's family. Much of Ernest and his wife's Gracie's history is unknown to their daughters, investigative reporter Judy and Las Vegas showgirl Hannah. At the age of five, young Ernest's mother arranges for her son to travel to America where she hopes he will find a better future. Upon his arrival in Washington, he becomes a ward of the state and later comes to the attention of a wealthy benefactress who pays for him to attend a private boarding school. Unlike the wealthy children in attendance, Ernest and the other orphans experience racism and discrimination and when his answer to a question displeases his benefactress, she arranges to offer him as a prize for a raffle at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific World Exposition. The holder of the winning ticket is Madame Flora, the proprietress of a notorious yet popular high class brothel. Life at The Tenderloin is a surprisingly positive experience for young Ernest and he quickly befriends Flora's daughter Maisie and scullery maid, Fahn. Ernest's feelings for both girls run deeper than friendship but there is not much room for love in a brothel. When Madame Flora's health begins to deteriorate, what will the future hold for Ernest, Fahn, Maisie and the rest of the staff at the brothel?
In 1962, Ernest is facing the harsh reality of Grace's dementia and he is willing to make any sacrifice to protect her. With memories of the past already stirred up as Seattle prepares for the upcoming Century 21 Exposition, he is concerned when Judy begins an investigation into the orphan raffle in 1909 for an upcoming newspaper article. Fearing the effect the truth about his and Gracie's history will have on their friends and daughters, Ernest tries to keep the secrets he and his wife have closely guarded for half a century. When Gracie becomes more cognizant of events occurring in the present, will she inadvertently reveal their hidden pasts?
In Love and Other Consolation Prizes, Jamie Ford presents a very poignant and realistic depiction of the hardships and prejudice that immigrants endured after arriving in the United States. Rich with historic elements, this incredible novel has a fascinating storyline that is heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting. A moving novel which keeps readers waiting with breathless anticipation to learn the identity of the young woman who finally wins Ernest's heart.
The 1962 World's Fair in Seattle proves to be quite illuminating to Ernest Young's family. Much of Ernest and his wife's Gracie's history is unknown to their daughters, investigative reporter Judy and Las Vegas showgirl Hannah. At the age of five, young Ernest's mother arranges for her son to travel to America where she hopes he will find a better future. Upon his arrival in Washington, he becomes a ward of the state and later comes to the attention of a wealthy benefactress who pays for him to attend a private boarding school. Unlike the wealthy children in attendance, Ernest and the other orphans experience racism and discrimination and when his answer to a question displeases his benefactress, she arranges to offer him as a prize for a raffle at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific World Exposition. The holder of the winning ticket is Madame Flora, the proprietress of a notorious yet popular high class brothel. Life at The Tenderloin is a surprisingly positive experience for young Ernest and he quickly befriends Flora's daughter Maisie and scullery maid, Fahn. Ernest's feelings for both girls run deeper than friendship but there is not much room for love in a brothel. When Madame Flora's health begins to deteriorate, what will the future hold for Ernest, Fahn, Maisie and the rest of the staff at the brothel?
In 1962, Ernest is facing the harsh reality of Grace's dementia and he is willing to make any sacrifice to protect her. With memories of the past already stirred up as Seattle prepares for the upcoming Century 21 Exposition, he is concerned when Judy begins an investigation into the orphan raffle in 1909 for an upcoming newspaper article. Fearing the effect the truth about his and Gracie's history will have on their friends and daughters, Ernest tries to keep the secrets he and his wife have closely guarded for half a century. When Gracie becomes more cognizant of events occurring in the present, will she inadvertently reveal their hidden pasts?
In Love and Other Consolation Prizes, Jamie Ford presents a very poignant and realistic depiction of the hardships and prejudice that immigrants endured after arriving in the United States. Rich with historic elements, this incredible novel has a fascinating storyline that is heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting. A moving novel which keeps readers waiting with breathless anticipation to learn the identity of the young woman who finally wins Ernest's heart.
some1whoreads's review against another edition
It's too slow. I'm not in the mood for this kind of book. Although the story just has begun. I'm bored.
kaluann726's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful love story along with beautiful writing. A great book to get lost in.