"Love and Other Consolation Prizes" by Jamie Ford

Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford
Call Number: FICTION Ford
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.

"Love and Other Consolation Prizes" by Jamie Ford is a historical novel that explores themes of love, identity, and resilience against the backdrop of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and later in 1962 Seattle. Here are some discussion questions for the book:

Historical Context:
- How does the author use the historical setting of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition to enhance the narrative? In what ways does the exposition influence the characters and events in the story?
Character Development:
- Trace the character development of Ernest Young from his childhood in China to his experiences at the exposition. How does his journey shape his identity and resilience?
Themes of Love:
- Explore the various forms of love depicted in the novel, including romantic love, familial love, and platonic love. How do characters like Ernest and others navigate the complexities of love in their lives?
Social Issues:
- The novel addresses social issues such as human trafficking, racial discrimination, and immigration policies. Discuss how these issues are portrayed in the story and their relevance to the characters' lives.
Dual Timelines:
- The narrative alternates between 1909 and 1962. How does the dual timeline structure contribute to the reader's understanding of the characters and their relationships? What parallels and contrasts can be drawn between the two time periods?
Immigrant Experience:
- Focus on the immigrant experience depicted in the novel, particularly the challenges faced by characters like Ernest and Fahn. How do cultural differences and societal attitudes impact their lives?
Moral Dilemmas:
- Discuss the moral dilemmas faced by characters such as Ernest and Madam Flora. How do they grapple with difficult choices, and what impact do their decisions have on their lives and relationships?
Symbolism of the Panama Hotel:
- The Panama Hotel serves as a central location in the novel. Explore the symbolism of the hotel and its role in connecting the past and present. How does it represent the passage of time?
Role of Women:
- Examine the roles of women in the novel, including characters like Madam Flora, Maisie, and Ernest's wife. How do these women navigate societal expectations, and in what ways do they assert their independence?
Impact of the Exposition on Seattle:
- Discuss the impact of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition on the city of Seattle. How does the exposition shape the cultural and social landscape, and what lasting effects does it have on the characters?
Cultural Identity:
- Consider the theme of cultural identity as it relates to characters like Ernest and his Chinese heritage. How does the novel explore the complexities of cultural identity in the face of societal expectations?
Redemption and Forgiveness:
- Characters in the novel seek redemption and forgiveness for their past actions. Discuss how these themes play out in the narrative, and how characters come to terms with their own histories.

These questions can provide a starting point for a comprehensive discussion of "Love and Other Consolation Prizes" by Jamie Ford, allowing readers to delve into the characters, themes, and historical context of the novel.

The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) was a world's fair held in Seattle, Washington, in 1909. Here is a brief biography of the exposition:

1. Origins and Planning:

The idea for the AYPE originated from the desire to showcase the economic and cultural development of the Pacific Northwest and to promote the city of Seattle. The fair was conceived as a way to celebrate the recent gold rush in Alaska and the Yukon.

2. Location:

The chosen site for the exposition was the University of Washington campus, highlighting the university's contributions to education, research, and cultural advancement.

3. Dates and Duration:

The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition took place from June 1 to October 16, 1909, spanning a period of nearly five months.

4. Purpose and Themes:

The primary purposes of the exposition were to attract attention to the economic potential of the Pacific Northwest, particularly Alaska and the Yukon, and to promote Seattle as a gateway to the rich resources of the region. The fair also aimed to showcase cultural achievements, technological advancements, and international trade.

5. Features and Attractions:

The exposition featured a range of exhibits, attractions, and events. These included pavilions showcasing the resources of Alaska and the Yukon, exhibits on industry and commerce, displays of art and culture, and entertainment venues. Notable attractions included the Pay Streak amusement area, the Alaska Railroad exhibit, and the Forestry Building.

6. Notable Structures:

Several temporary and permanent structures were built for the AYPE, including the Washington State Building (now the Henry Art Gallery), the Forestry Building (later the Museum of History and Industry), and the U.S. Government Building. The Fine Arts Palace, designed by architect Carl Gould, was a prominent structure that showcased art exhibitions.

7. International Participation:

The exposition attracted participation from various countries, including Japan, China, Canada, and the Philippines. The international exhibits highlighted trade opportunities and cultural exchange.

8. Legacy:

The AYPE left a lasting impact on Seattle, helping to establish the city as a major economic and cultural center in the Pacific Northwest. The fair contributed to the development of the University of Washington campus and left behind several permanent structures.

9. Commemorations:

The centennial of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was commemorated in 2009 with various events and exhibitions. The exposition's legacy continues to be recognized as an important chapter in Seattle's history.

10. Centennial Celebrations: - In 2009, the University of Washington and the city of Seattle organized centennial celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the AYPE. These events included exhibitions, lectures, and community activities.

The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909 played a significant role in promoting Seattle's growth and showcasing the economic and cultural developments of the Pacific Northwest. It remains an important chapter in the history of world's fairs and the city of Seattle.

Jamie Ford is an American author known for his works of historical fiction. Here is a brief biography of Jamie Ford:

Early Life and Education:

Birth:
- Jamie Ford was born on July 9, 1968, in Billings, Montana, USA.
Educational Background:
- He holds a degree in design from the Art Institute of Seattle.

Career:

Advertising and Design:
- Before pursuing a career in writing, Jamie Ford worked in the fields of advertising and design. His creative background influenced his storytelling and narrative style.
Authorship:
- Jamie Ford is best known for his novels, which often explore themes of identity, family, love, and historical events. His works are characterized by a focus on diverse characters and rich historical settings.

Notable Works:

"Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" (2009):
- Ford's debut novel, "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet," became a bestseller. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel explores the relationship between a Chinese-American boy and a Japanese-American girl.
"Songs of Willow Frost" (2013):
- In his second novel, "Songs of Willow Frost," Ford delves into the story of a Chinese-American orphan in Seattle during the Great Depression.
"Love and Other Consolation Prizes" (2017):
- This novel is inspired by the true story of a young boy raffled off as a prize at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle. The narrative spans decades and explores themes of love, resilience, and the immigrant experience.

Themes and Style:

Jamie Ford's novels often revolve around characters from diverse backgrounds, exploring their experiences against the backdrop of significant historical events. His storytelling is characterized by a blend of historical accuracy, emotional depth, and cultural insights.

Recognition and Achievements:

Jamie Ford's novels have received critical acclaim and commercial success. "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" was a New York Times bestseller and received several awards, including the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.

Personal Life:

Details about Jamie Ford's personal life, including his family and other biographical information, may not be extensively publicized.

Legacy:

Jamie Ford has made a significant impact in the literary world with his ability to weave historical narratives that resonate with readers. His exploration of diverse characters and their stories contributes to a broader understanding of cultural heritage and shared history.

Marching to Zion by Mary Glickman
Call Number: FICTION Glickman
A family of Eastern European refugees finds a home in racially charged St. Louis in this sweeping historical novel from a National Jewish Book Award finalist. In 1916, Mags Preacher arrives in the big city of St. Louis, fresh from the piney woods, hoping to learn the beauty trade. Instead, she winds up with a job at Fishbein's Funeral Home, run by an émigré who came to America to flee the pogroms of Russia. Mags knows nothing about Jews except that they killed the Lord Jesus Christ, but by the time her boss saves her life during the race riots in East St. Louis, all her perceptions have changed. Marching to Zion is the story of Mags and of Mr. Fishbein, but it's also the story of Fishbein's daughter, Minerva, a beautiful redhead with an air of danger about her, and Magnus Bailey, Fishbein's charismatic business partner and Mags's first friend in town. When Magnus falls for Minerva's willful spirit, he'll learn just how dangerous she can be for a black man in America. Readers of Mary Glickman's One More River will celebrate the return of Aurora Mae Stanton, who joins a cast of vibrant new characters in a tale that stretches from East St. Louis, Missouri, to Memphis, Tennessee, from World War I to the Great Depression.
The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
Call Number: FICTION Kim
Riveting and unconventional, The Last Story of Mina Lee traces the far-reaching consequences of secrets in the lives of a Korean immigrant mother and her daughter Margot Lee's mother is ignoring her calls. Margot can't understand why, until she makes a surprise trip home to Koreatown, LA, and finds that her mother has suspiciously died. Determined to discover the truth, Margot unravels her single mother's past as a Korean War orphan and an undocumented immigrant, only to realize how little she truly knew about her mother, Mina. Thirty years earlier, Mina Lee steps off a plane to take a chance on a new life in America. Stacking shelves at a Korean grocery store, the last thing she expects is to fall in love. But that moment leads to repercussions for Mina that echo through the decades, leading up to the truth of what happened the night of her death. Told through the intimate lens of a mother and daughter who have struggled all their lives to understand each other, The Last Story of Mina Lee is a powerful and exquisitely woven debut novel that explores identity, family, secrets, and what it truly means to belong.
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Call Number: FICTION Kline
Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains ran regularly from the cities of the East Coast to the farmlands of the Midwest, carrying thousands of abandoned children whose fates would be determined by pure luck. Would they be adopted by a kind and loving family, or would they face a childhood and adolescence of hard labor and servitude. As a young Irish immigrant, Vivian Daly was one such child, sent by rail from New York City to an uncertain future a world away. Returning east later in life, Vivian leads a quiet, peaceful existence on the coast of Maine, the memories of her upbringing rendered a hazy blur. But in her attic, hidden in trunks, are vestiges of a turbulent past. Seventeen-year-old Molly Ayer knows that a community-service position helping an elderly widow clean out her attic is the only thing keeping her out of juvenile hall. But as Molly helps Vivian sort through her keepsakes and possessions, she discovers that she and Vivian aren't as different as they appear. A Penobscot Indian who has spent her youth in and out of foster homes, Molly is also an outsider being raised by strangers, and she, too, has unanswered questions about the past.
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
Call Number: FICTION Otsuka
In eight incantatory sections, The Buddha in the Attic traces their extraordinary lives, from their arduous journey by boat, where they exchange photographs of their husbands, imagining uncertain futures in an unknown land; to their arrival in San Francisco and their tremulous first nights as new wives; to their backbreaking work picking fruit in the fields and scrubbing the floors of white women; to their struggles to master a new language and a new culture; to their experiences in childbirth, and then as mothers, raising children who will ultimately reject their heritage and their history; to the deracinating arrival of war. In language that has the force and the fury of poetry, Julie Otsuka has written a singularly spellbinding novel about the American dream.
The Seamstress of Sardinia by Bianca Pitzorno
Call Number: FICTION Pitzorno
In 1900 Sardinia, a young woman's remarkable talent with a needle earns her a position as a seamstress with a wealthy family. Inside this privileged world far different from her own humble beginnings, the skilled sewer quietly takes measurements, sketches designs, mends hems--and in the silence, hears whispered secrets and stories of all those around her. Through the watchful young seamstress's eyes, this small Italian city and its residents emerge in all their vitality, vanity, and fragility--flawed yet congenial people who are not quite what they pretend to be. There is the Marchesa Esther, who rides horses and studies mechanics and ancient Greek; Miss Lily Rose, a spirited American journalist who commissions a special corset--with pockets to hide more than just her flaws; the Provera sisters with their expensive Parisian fashions that belie their financial hardships; and Assuntina, the wild child. There are men, young, old, and in between; love affairs and broken hearts; and even a murder (or was it suicide?). And at the center, watching and waiting is the seamstress herself, an intelligent, ambitious girl with a tender heart and her own impossible dream. An irresistible literary confection rich in atmosphere and period detail and packed with compelling characters. The Seamstress of Sardinia transports us to a long-ago world not so removed from our own--to a society rigidly divided by wealth and shaped by passion, hope, ambition, and love--the elemental forces that drive human lives.
White Ivy by Susie Yang
Call Number: FICTION Yang
A young woman's crush on a privileged former classmate becomes a story of love, lies, and dark obsession, offering stark insights into the immigrant experience, as it hurtles to its electrifying ending. Ivy Lin is a thief and a liar--but you'd never know it by looking at her. Raised outside of Boston, Ivy's immigrant grandmother relies on Ivy's mild appearance for cover as she teaches her granddaughter how to pilfer items from yard sales and second-hand shops. Thieving allows Ivy to accumulate the trappings of a suburban teen--and, most importantly, to attract the attention of Gideon Speyer, the golden boy of a wealthy political family. But when Ivy's mother discovers her trespasses, punishment is swift and Ivy is sent to China, and her dream instantly evaporates. Years later, Ivy has grown into a poised yet restless young woman, haunted by her conflicting feelings about her upbringing and her family. Back in Boston, when Ivy bumps into Sylvia Speyer, Gideon's sister, a reconnection with Gideon seems not only inevitable--it feels like fate. Slowly, Ivy sinks her claws into Gideon and the entire Speyer clan by attending fancy dinners, and weekend getaways to the cape. But just as Ivy is about to have everything she's ever wanted, a ghost from her past resurfaces, threatening the nearly perfect life she's worked so hard to build.
Straw Dogs of the Universe by Ye Chun
Call Number: Fiction Ye
A harrowing and redemptive immigrant story for readers of Pachinko. A Chinese railroad worker and his young daughter--sold into servitude--in 19th century California search for family, fulfillment, and belonging in a violent new land. "Heaven and earth do not pick and choose. They see everything as straw dogs." A sweeping historical novel of the American West from the little-seen perspective of those who helped to build it, Straw Dogs of the Universe traces the story of one Chinese father and his young daughter, desperate to find him against all odds. After her village is devastated by famine, 10-year-old Sixiang is sold to a human trafficker for a bag of rice and six silver coins. Her mother is reluctant to let her go, but the promise of a better life for her beloved daughter ultimately sways her. Arriving in America with the profits from her sale and a single photograph of Guifeng, her absent father, Sixiang journeys across an unfamiliar American landscape in the hopes of reuniting her family. As she makes her way through an unforgiving new world, her father, a railroad worker in California, finds his attempts to build a life for himself both upended and defined by along-lost love and the seemingly inescapable violence of the American West. A generational saga ranging from the villages of China to the establishment of the transcontinental railroad and the anti-Chinese movement in California, Straw Dogs of the Universe considers the tenacity of family ties and the courage it takes to survive in a country that rejects you, even as it relies upon your labor.
The Picture Bride by Lee Geum-yi; An Seonjae (Translator)
Call Number: Fiction Yi
"Your husband is a landowner," they told her. "Food and clothing is so plentiful, it grows on trees." "You will be able to go to school." Of the three lies the matchmaker told Willow before she left home as a picture bride in 1918, the third hurt the most. Never one to be deterred, Willow does all that she can to make the best of her unexpected circumstance. But it isn't long before her dreams for this new life are shattered, first by a husband who never wanted to marry her in the first place, and then by the escalation of the Korean independence movements, unified in goal, but divergent in action, which threaten to split the Hawaiian Korean community and divide Willow's family and friends. Braving the rough waters of these tumultuous years, Willow forges ahead, creating new dreams through her own blood, sweat, and tears; working tirelessly toward a better life for her family and loved ones.

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "Love and Other Consolation Prizes" by Jamie Ford

"Love and Other Consolation Prizes" by Jamie Ford

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