Love and Other Consolation Prizes

Ernest Young, a half-Chinese boy, works in a brothel in Seattle's Red Light District and falls in love with Maisie and Fahn. On the eve of the 1962 World's Fair, he reflects on his past and the tragic past of his wife.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 352 pages
\n Publication date: 24 May 2018
\n Publisher: Allison & Busby
\n

In 1909, Seattle, a half-Chinese boy named Ernest Young found himself the subject of a peculiar raffle at the World's Fair. Fate had him working in a brothel within the infamous Red Light District, where he formed deep connections with Maisie, the daughter of a flamboyant madam, and Fahn, a karayuki-san, a Japanese maid sold into servitude. As the eve of the new World's Fair approached in 1962, Ernest took a moment to reflect on the past, cherishing the memories he had created with his beloved wife. However, the shadows of their tragic past were beginning to unravel, as his daughter, a reporter, delved deeper into their history.

Ernest's journey began in the bustling city of Shanghai, where he was born to a Chinese father and a Scottish mother. Despite his mixed heritage, he faced discrimination and hardship throughout his childhood. His father, a chef, worked long hours in a restaurant, leaving Ernest to fend for himself much of the time. He spent his days wandering the streets, scavenging for food and shelter, and often finding himself in trouble with the local authorities.

Despite the challenges he faced, Ernest was determined to make a better life for himself. He worked hard in school and eventually earned a scholarship to study engineering in the United States. However, his dreams were cut short when the Japanese invaded China during World War II. Ernest's family was forced to flee their home, and they ended up in a refugee camp in Hong Kong.

It was in the refugee camp that Ernest met Fahn, a young Japanese woman who had also been forced to leave her home due to the war. They formed a deep bond, sharing their experiences of loss and hardship and supporting each other through the difficult times. Fahn was a talented artist, and she often used her paintings to express her emotions and experiences. Ernest, who had a passion for engineering, encouraged her to pursue her dreams and helped her to find a job teaching art in a local school.

As the war drew to a close, Ernest and Fahn decided to make a new life for themselves in the United States. They arrived in Seattle, where they found work and started to build a life together. They opened a small restaurant, which quickly became a popular spot in the community. Ernest worked tirelessly to make the restaurant a success, while Fahn continued to pursue her art.

However, their happiness was short-lived. One day, while Ernest was out of town, Fahn was attacked and raped by a group of men. She was left traumatized and unable to work. Ernest was devastated and felt helpless to help his beloved wife. He tried to support her as best he could, but Fahn's trauma was too much to bear. She eventually took her own life, leaving Ernest alone and heartbroken.

Ernest's life was never the same again. He was consumed by grief and guilt, and he struggled to find meaning in his life. He turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain, but it only made things worse. He lost his job, his friends, and his sense of self.

It was only when he met Maisie that he began to find hope again. Maisie was a young woman who had been working in the brothel where Ernest had been employed. She was kind and compassionate, and she saw something in Ernest that no one else had. She took him under her wing, and helped him to rebuild his life.

Maisie introduced Ernest to the world of prostitution, and he quickly became a popular client. He found that he had a natural talent for pleasing women, and he soon became one of the brothel's most sought-after clients. However, Ernest was never content with just providing pleasure to women. He wanted to help them, to make a difference in their lives.

He started to volunteer at a local women's shelter, providing support and guidance to women who had been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. He also started to mentor young men who were struggling with addiction and poverty, teaching them the skills they needed to succeed in life.

As Ernest's reputation as a kind and compassionate man grew, he began to receive offers of help and support from others. He was invited to speak at conferences and events, and he was even approached by a local politician who wanted to hire him as a consultant on issues related to poverty and addiction.

Despite his success, Ernest never forgot the lessons he had learned from his past. He remained humble and grateful for the opportunities he had been given. He knew that his journey was far from over, and that there was still much work to be done to help those in need.

In 1962, as the new World's Fair approached, Ernest looked back on his life with a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had overcome incredible adversity, and he had used his experiences to make a positive impact on the world. He knew that his daughter, a reporter, was uncovering the truth about their tragic past, but he was ready to face it head-on.

As the reporter began to piece together the story of Ernest's life, she discovered that there was much more to it than she had ever imagined. She learned that Ernest had been a political activist in his youth, fighting for the rights and rights of immigrants and marginalized communities. She discovered that he had been arrested and imprisoned for his activism, and that he had been subjected to torture and abuse during his time in prison.

The reporter was shocked and appalled by the revelations, and she knew that she had a responsibility to share them with the world. She published a series of articles in a local newspaper, exposing the truth about Ernest's past and the injustices he had faced.

The articles caused a sensation, and Ernest's story became a national headline. People from all over the country were outraged by the injustices he had suffered, and they demanded that the government take action.

Ernest's story was eventually brought to the attention of the United Nations, and he was invited to speak at a conference in New York City. He used his platform to advocate for the rights of immigrants and marginalized communities, and he called for the government to take action to address the systemic issues that had led to his and others' suffering.

Ernest's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and resilience. It shows that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to make a positive impact on the world and to fight for the rights of those who have been marginalized and oppressed. It also highlights the need for systemic change, to address the root causes of poverty, addiction, and violence that so many people face in our society.

In conclusion, Ernest Young's journey is a testament to the human spirit
spirit's resilience and determination. Despite facing incredible adversity, he was able to overcome his struggles and make a positive impact on the world. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and resilience, and it highlights the need for systemic change to address the root causes of poverty, addiction, and violence that so many people face in our society. We must continue to work together to create a more just and equitable world for all, and to honor the memory of Ernest Young and his legacy.

\n Weight: 282g\n
Dimension: 196 x 130 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780749022419\n \n