Love And Other Consolation Prizes: A Novel

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 SeattleÆs epic 1909 WorldÆs Fair. ôAn evocative, heartfelt, beautifully crafted story that shines a light on a fascinating, tragic bit of forgotten history.öùKristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale For twelve-year-old Ernest Young, a charity student at a boarding school, the chance to go to the WorldÆs Fair feels like a gift. But only once heÆs 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 offùa healthy boy ôto a good home.ö 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 madamÆs precocious daughter, and a bold scullery maid named Fahn. Their friendship and affection form the first real family Ernest has ever knownùand against all odds, this new sporting life gives him the sense of home heÆs 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 SeattleÆs second WorldÆs 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 devotionùin a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale. Praise for Love and Other Consolation Prizes ôExciting . . . [Jamie] Ford captures the thrill of first kisses and the shock of revealing long-hidden affairs.öùKirkus Reviews ôStrong . . . A laudable effort that shines light on little known histories.öùLibrary Journal ôPoignant . . . Vibrantly rendered.öùBooklist ôCombining 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.öùHistorical Novel Society (EditorsÆ choice) ôFord 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.öùJessica Shattuck, author of The Women in the Castle ôAll 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.öùMartha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls

• | Author: Jamie Ford
• | Publisher: Ballantine Books
• | Publication Date: Jun 19, 2018
• | Number of Pages: 336 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback/Fiction
• | ISBN-10: 0804176779
• | ISBN-13: 9780804176774