Five Star Billionaire
by Tash Aw
Genre: Contemporary Literature/China
[Man Booker Prize Nominee for Longlist (2013)]
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Publish Date: July 2, 2013
Format: Hardcover | 400 pages
Rating: 4 of 5
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Five Star Billionaire is a dazzling, kaleidoscopic novel that offers rare insight into the booming world of Shanghai, a city of elusive identities and ever-changing skylines, of grand ambitions and outsize dreams. Bursting with energy, contradictions, and the promise of possibility, Tash Aw’s remarkable new book is both poignant and comic, exotic and familiar, cutting-edge and classic, suspenseful and yet beautifully unhurried.
My Thoughts:
Five Star Billionaire is about five young people each dreaming of success and hoping to find it in Shanghai. Phoebe, a factory worker, reinvents herself by pretending to be an accomplished business woman to attract rich men. Gary is a pop star trying to reignite his failing career. Justin has been tasked by his family to manage their real estate empire, but finds it is more than he can handle. Yinghui is a successful business woman eager to expand into new and risky ventures. Walter Chao, the successful, elusive billionaire, touches the lives of each of them.
The novel is written in alternating chapters about each of the five characters using a third person narrative for the four young people. Walter Chao’s story is written in the first person. Although these are mostly separate, loosely interconnected stories, it works well as a novel. The city of Shanghai is the real connection.
The style of the novel is slow and reflective allowing the reader to gradually get to know each of these five complex characters. As the story builds, their lives begin to intersect and relationships, past and present, are exposed. Tying them together is the city of Shanghai, shifting and changing, a character in itself. Their stories felt real. There is no happily ever after although there are good times as well as bad. The characters are traveling through a period of their lives where they learn and grow, and we see hope for their futures.
This was a thoughtful, enjoyable book outside my usual reading choices. A fascinating glimpse at booming New China and the allure of Shangahi.
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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher and LibraryThing.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Mailbox Monday was created by The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week.
Mailbox Monday is currently on tour, hosted by a different blog each month. Today’s Linky will be hosted by Kathy @ Bermudaonion’s Weblog.
Last week I received a big box of audiobooks from Penguin Audio. Since more than half of my summertime reading is actually listening I was thrilled to receive these.
Children’s Audiobooks by Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka’s famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Now that he’s won the chocolate factory, what’s next for Charlie?
The BFG
The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Seven superb stories, from the world’s no. 1 storyteller.
Matilda
Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she’s just a nuisance.
Adult Audiobooks
The Never List by Koethi Zan
For years, best friends Sarah and Jennifer kept what they called the “Never List”: a list of actions to be avoided, for safety’s sake, at all costs. But one night, against their best instincts, they accept a cab ride with grave, everlasting consequences.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose.
The Kill List by Frederick Forsyth
The Kill List: a top secret catalogue of names held at the highest level of the US government. On it, those men and women who would threaten the world’s security.
Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton
Some zombies are raised. Others must be put down. Just ask Anita Blake.
Death Angel by Linda Fairstein
Is the body found in the Ramble the first victim of a deranged psychopath, or are other missing women in years past whose remains have never been found connected to this savage attack?
JFK’s Last Hundred Days by Thurston Clarke
A revelatory, minute-by-minute account of JFK’s last hundred days that asks what might have been.
What are you reading?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
The Savannah Sparrow is a common but inconspicuous bird and can be found in grassy areas across most of North America. They tend to stay down in the grass, out of sight. This bird was swooping in and out of the grass carrying bugs and probably had a nest nearby,
I rarely encounter a Savannah Sparrow that poses much less stays still for more than a second, so I was thrilled when he paused for a moment and allowed me to get these shots. Unfortunately the lighting was at the wrong angle so the color tones are a little faded, but birds are notorious for not being cooperative subjects.
There are many different kinds of sparrows and they can be tricky to identify. From a distance they all look like little brown birds, but if you look closely there are subtle differences.
The Savannah has a small yellow patch on the face in front of the eye, a smallish head, short tail and pink bill. They look similar to the more commonly seen Song Sparrow, but the Song Sparrow is a slightly larger bird with bolder streaking and no yellow patch.
An interesting fact: The bird is named after Savannah, Georgia, where it was first discovered.
Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. For the summer it will be hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
The Silent Wife
by A.S.A. Harrison
Narrated by Karen White, Donald Corren
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Publish Date: June 25, 2013
Format: Audio, 8 hours | 57 minutes
Audio Listening Level: Easy
Rating: 3½ of 5
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Jodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept.
My Thoughts:
Never married and with no children, Todd and Jodi have lived together for 20 years. She passively tolerates his serial infidelity and he provides her with an affluent lifestyle in a Chicago lakefront downtown condo. This works for them until he decides to leave her for a younger woman. They are not married; there is nothing she can do; or is there?
The story is told from both Todd and Jodi’s perspective in alternating chapters. They are at times frustratingly unlikable people. Both are complex, flawed characters who in the end deserved each other in many ways. At times I could relate to some of what Jodi was feeling, but Todd was just a horrible person.
The first half of the book was compelling as we delved into the psyches of each of these characters, all the while watching their relationship unravel. While the second half was good, it got a little too introspective for my tastes with the characters rambling on and on justifying their feelings and actions in their own minds. The more they whined and made excuses, the less I liked them. But that was the point, we weren’t supposed to like them or always believe them.
What I did enjoy immensely was the Chicago setting. I worked in the city for many years and live in the suburbs. The buildings, streets, shops and restaurants mentioned were all familiar places. And if you know Chicago, the locations they frequent fit with the personalities of the characters.
I listened to the audiobook which was performed by Karen White and Donald Corren. Karen White’s voice for Jodi was perfect for the character even though I found it flat and, in a way, annoying. But her interpretation was how I would expect Jodi to sound. The dual narrators worked well for this story and helps the listener remember which point of view we are listening to. The alternating perspectives kept the story moving at a nice pace.
This book has been compared to Gone Girl, but other than the psychological aspects I didn’t find them to be similar. Jodi is nothing like Amy and the ending here is somewhat predictable. If you like psychological drama (it’s not really a ‘thriller’), this is a fast read and an easy to listen to audiobook.
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Source: Review copy
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Almost wordless: This volunteer is one of the largest and happiest sunflowers I’ve ever grown. It is at the edge of my backyard wildflower garden, is about 6 feet tall and has an 8 to 10 inch disc. The little bee towards the center was unintentional but gives perspective to the size.
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More Wordless Wednesday. © 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Late Lights
by Kara Weiss
Genre: Novella
Publisher: Colony Collapse Press
Publish Date: June 13, 2013
Format: Paperback | 123 pages
Rating: 5 of 5
From the Publisher:
Late Lights is a novella-in-stories about Monty, Erin, and B.J., three childhood friends who have grown into three very different people. Each story delves into a different aspect of their lives, exploring the intensely difficult and complicated realities of their adolescent experience. Juvenile detention, illicit sex, violence, gender — the characters may be young, but the stories are entirely grown up.
My Thoughts:
Late Lights is five connected stories providing a riveting glimpse into the complex relationships of three teens, unlikely friends growing up together in the Boston metro area. They became friends despite being raised in different social classes and very different home lives with stark contrasts.
The novella is composed of five vignettes set in that confusing period when the friends are no longer children, but not yet adults. Monty was a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who lived with a father that didn’t want him around, Erin’s professional parents have Ivy League dreams for her future and BJ was always a tomboy but is now growing into a sexually confused young woman.
Each of these linked stories builds upon the next. We first meet Monty who is serving time in juvenile detention for a robbery. He is counting the days and surviving in horrible conditions until his release, but knows he will hve nowhere to go except back to his father. Next we meet BJ. Monty has stopped by her home for a visit but instead of an old pal he now sees her as a young woman, only adding to her sexual confusion. Finally we meet Erin. She has never lost touch with Monty. She thinks she loves him, or does she? She continued to write to him after her parents forbid phone calls from the juvie facility. They hoped she would grow out of this friendship. When she and Monty reunite, things are not the same anymore.
Although the stories are short, the characters are well-developed and detailed. The writing is fantastic. The descriptions are vivid, the situations intense. Often raw and gritty and at times disturbing, we are immersed into the lives of these three young people and feel their pain, confusion and angst. This is a book that will make you think, and make you want more.
Late Lights was a fast, compelling read and is better described as a novella than short stories. For those who enjoy a realistic depiction of young adults and the struggle of growing up, I highly recommend this book.
About the Author
Kara Weiss was raised in Brookline, Massachusetts. She attended Williams College and holds an MFA from the University of Washington. Kara was the recipient of the Ingham prize for fiction, a finalist for the Jack Dyer prize, and her work has appeared in numerous literary magazines. She currently works as a freelance writer, and teaches English at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. Please visit her at www.karaweiss.com.
Tour Schedule HERE.
Win a Copy
I have one copy to giveaway to readers 18 years of age or older with a mailing address in the US or Canada. To enter, fill out the form below on or before August 17th. For an extra entry tweet or blog the giveaway and include the link. I will draw a random winner who will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond.
[Giveaway Has Ended]
Winner: Anita Yancey
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Source: Review copy from TLC Book Tours
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Mailbox Monday was created by The Printed Page. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week.
Mailbox Monday is currently on tour, hosted by a different blog each month. The August host is Penelope @ The Reading Fever.
[As of 7am Eastern Time Penelope hasn’t posted. Today’s Linky will be hosted by Kathy @ Bermudaonion’s Weblog.]
Last week was a hectic one for me. I had a lot going on plus some family things to deal with so I didn’t have much time to read or visit blogs but I did manage to get a few things posted and some gardening done. I’m hoping this week slows down a bit. I’ve been listening to my audiobooks in the garden but I miss sitting down and relaxing for a few hours with a book in my hand.
Here’s what arrived last week: Three print books and one audiobook.
Print Books:
Sanctuary Line by Jane Urquhart from the publicist and MacLehose Press.
Solitary, nostalgic Liz Crane returns to her family’s now-deserted farmhouse—once the setting for countless happy summers spent on the northern shore of Lake Erie—to study the migratory habits of the Monarch butterfly.
Who Asked You? by Terry McMillan from Viking.
“Who Asked You?” casts an intimate look at the burdens and blessings of family and speaks to trusting your own judgment even when others don’t agree. McMillan’s signature voice and unforgettable characters bring universal issues to brilliant, vivid life.
The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally from Atria through Galley Alley.
From the acclaimed author of Schindler’s List, the epic, unforgettable story of two sisters from Australia, both trained nurses, whose lives are transformed by the cataclysm of the first World War.
Audiobooks
Light Of the World by James Lee Burke, a Twitter win from Simon & Schuster Audio.
In Light of the World, sadist and serial killer Asa Surrette narrowly escaped the death penalty for the string of heinous murders he committed while capital punishment was outlawed in Kansas. But following a series of damning articles written by Dave Robicheaux’s daughter Alafair about possible other crimes committed by Surette, the killer escapes from a prison transport van and heads to Montana…
What are you reading?
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© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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