Kirjahaku

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - "An impressive, bitter, and sweet debut that explores the age-old conflicts between father and son, the beauty and sadness of what happened to Japanese Americans in the Seattle era during World War II, and the depths and longing of deep-heart love."--Lisa See "A tender and satisfying novel."--Garth Stein, bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner displays and unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s--Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made for family, for love, for country.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From Jamie Ford, author of the beloved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, comes a much-anticipated second novel. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Seattle, Songs of Willow Frost is a powerful tale of two souls--a boy with dreams for his future and a woman escaping her haunted past--both seeking love, hope, and forgiveness. Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader's Circle for author chats and more. Twelve-year-old William Eng, a Chinese American boy, has lived at Seattle's Sacred Heart Orphanage ever since his mother's listless body was carried away from their small apartment five years ago. On his birthday--or rather, the day the nuns designate as his birthday--William and the other orphans are taken to the historical Moore Theatre, where William glimpses an actress on the silver screen who goes by the name of Willow Frost. Struck by her features, William is convinced that the movie star is his mother, Liu Song. Determined to find Willow and prove that his mother is still alive, William escapes from Sacred Heart with his friend Charlotte. The pair navigate the streets of Seattle, where they must not only survive but confront the mysteries of William's past and his connection to the exotic film star. The story of Willow Frost, however, is far more complicated than the Hollywood fantasy William sees onscreen. Shifting between the Great Depression and the 1920s, Songs of Willow Frost takes readers on an emotional journey of discovery. Jamie Ford's sweeping novel will resonate with anyone who has ever longed for the comforts of family and a place to call home. Praise for Songs of Willow Frost "If you liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, you're going to love Songs of Willow Frost. . . . tender, powerful, and deeply satisfying."--Lisa Genova " A] poignant tale of lost and found love."--Tampa Bay Times "Arresting . . . with] the kind of ending readers always hope for, but seldom get."--The Dallas Morning News " An] achingly tender story . . . a tale of nuance and emotion."--The Providence Journal "Ford crafts a] beautiful, tender tale of love transcending the sins people perpetrate on one another and shows how the strength of our primal relationships is the best part of our human nature."--Great Falls Tribune "Remarkable . . . likely to appeal to readers who enjoy the multi-generational novels of Amy Tan."--Bookreporter "Jamie Ford is a first-rate novelist, and with Songs of Willow Frost he takes a great leap forward and demonstrates the uncanny ability to move me to tears."--Pat Conroy "With vivid detail, Jamie Ford brings to life Seattle's Chinatown during the Depression and chronicles the high price those desperate times exacted from an orphaned boy and the woman he believes is his mother. Songs of Willow Frost is about innocence and the loss of it, about longing, about the power of remembered love."--Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank "Ford's boundless compassion for the human spirit, in all its strengths and weaknesses, makes him one of our most unique and compelling storytellers."--Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

1986, The Panama Hotel The old Seattle landmark has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made a startling discovery in the basement: personal belongings stored away by Japanese families sent to interment camps during World War II. Among the fascinated crowd gathering outside the hotel stands Henry Lee, and, as the owner unfurls a distinctive parasol, he is flooded by memories of his childhood. He wonders if by some miracle, in amongst the boxes of dusty treasures, lies a link to the Okabe family, and the girl he lost his heart to so many years ago.

Twelve-year-old William Eng, a Chinese-American, has lived at Seattle's Sacred Heart Orphanage since his mother disappeared five years ago. During a trip to the movie theatre, William glimpses an actress on the silver screen who goes by the name of Willow Frost. Struck by her features, William is convinced that the movie star is his mother.

1909, Seattle. At the World’s Fair a half-Chinese boy called Ernest Young is raffled off as a prize. He ends up working in a brothel in Seattle’s famed Red Light District and falls in love with Maisie, the daughter of a flamboyant madam, and Fahn, a karayuki-san, a Japanese maid sold into servitude.On the eve of the new World’s Fair in 1962, Ernest looks back on the past, the memories he made with his beloved wife while his daughter, a reporter, begins to unravel their tragic past.

1909, Seattle. At the World's Fair a half-Chinese boy called Ernest Young is raffled off as a prize. He ends up working in a brothel in Seattle's famed Red Light District and falls in love with Maisie, the daughter of a flamboyant madam, and Fahn, a karayuki-san, a Japanese maid sold into servitude. On the eve of the new World's Fair in 1962, Ernest looks back on the past, the memories he made with his beloved wife while his daughter, a reporter, begins to unravel their tragic past.

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 Seattle's epic 1909 World's Fair. "An evocative, heartfelt, beautifully crafted story that shines a light on a fascinating, tragic bit of forgotten history."--Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale 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. Against a rich backdrop of post-Victorian vice, suffrage, and celebration, Love and Other Consolations is an enchanting tale about innocence and devotion--in a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale. Praise for Love and Other Consolation Prizes "Exciting . . . Jamie] Ford captures the thrill of first kisses and the shock of revealing long-hidden affairs."--Kirkus Reviews "Strong . . . A laudable effort that shines light on little known histories."--Library Journal "Poignant . . . Vibrantly rendered."--Booklist "Combining 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."--Historical Novel Society (Editors' choice) "Ford 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."--Jessica Shattuck, author of The Women in the Castle "All 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."--Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick "One of the most beautiful books of motherhood and what we pass on to those that come after us." --Jenna Bush Hager, Today The New York Times bestselling author of the "mesmerizing and evocative" (Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants) Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet returns with a powerful exploration of the love that binds one family across the generations. Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living. As Washington's former poet laureate, that's how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help. Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America. As painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn't the only thing she's inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who's loved her through all of her genetic memories. Dorothy endeavors to break the cycle of pain and abandonment, to finally find peace for her daughter, and gain the love that has long been waiting, knowing she may pay the ultimate price.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet returns with a powerful exploration of the love that binds a family across the generations in "one of the most beautiful books of motherhood and what we pass on to those that come after us" (Jenna Bush Hager, Today). Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living. As Washington's former poet laureate, that's how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help. Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America. As the painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn't the only thing she's inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period--a stranger who's loved her through all of her genetic memories. Can Dorothy break the cycle of pain and abandonment to finally find peace for her daughter and love for herself? Or will she end up paying the ultimate price? "For Jamie Ford fans both old and new, The Many Daughters of Afong Moy is an unmitigated pleasure" (Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author) and a lyrical love story unlike any other.

For tolv år gamle Ernest Young virker det som en gave da en veldedig forening lar ham få dra på verdensutstillingen. Men det er ikke lenge han rekker å glede seg over de eksotiske utstillingene, fyrverkeriene og pariserhjulene før han forstår at det faktisk er han som er premien. Den foreldreløse, halvt kinesiske gutten oppdager til sin forskrekkelse at han skal loddes ut – «en sunn gutt til et godt hjem». Velgjørerne hadde imidlertid ikke regnet med at det var byens bordellmamma som skulle trekke vinnerloddet.En hjertevarm roman inspirert av den sanne historien om en tolv år gammel gutt som ble loddet ut som premie på verdensutstillingen i Seattle i 1909. Jamie Ford byr på et fargerikt persongalleri, fascinerende historiske skildringer og tanker om moral, raseforhold og kultur som gir en dypt berikende leseopplevelse.«En av årets aller beste historiske romaner.» Library JournalOm Hotellet på hjørnet av Bitter og Søt:«… en leseverdig fortelling — om å finne det søte i alt det bitre livet byr på.» Dagbladet

Seattle 1986. Som aldrende enkemann kommer Henry en dag forbi gamle Panama hotell, som har vært stengt siden andre verdenskrig. I kjelleren har hotellets nye eier funnet en rekke eiendeler som tilhørte japanske familier som ble internert i arbeidsleirer utenfor byen. Da de åpner en japansk parasoll, blir Henry dratt tilbake til fortiden. For Henry skjuler ikke kjelleren bare støvete gamle ting, men også minnene om ungdomsforelskelsen, Keiko. Hvor ble det av Keiko og familien hennes? Er det for sent å starte letingen etter sitt livs store kjærlighet? Hotellet på hjørnet av Bitter og Søt er en uforglemmelig kjærlighetshistorie som er solgt i mer enn to millioner eksemplarer på verdensbasis. «Fengslende og minnevekkende, en fortelling om tidløs kjærlighet og det å velge riktig side.» Sara Gruen «Anbefales!»Telemarksavisa «Usedvanlig godt oppbygd!»NRK «En kan ikke unngå å bli berørt!»Bloggen Tones bokmerke

Inspireret af en sand historie har Jamie Ford skrevet en vidunderlig bittersød roman om at finde kærligheden i en verden, hvor alt – også mennesker – er til salg. Seattle 1909. For den halvkinesiske børnehjemsdreng Ernest virker tilbuddet om at besøge den store verdensudstilling som noget af en gave, men midt i al hurlumhejet med eksotiske udstillinger, fyrværkeri og pariserhjul opdager han, at det i virkeligheden er ham, der er gaven. Dagens store begivenhed er bortlodningen af 'en sund og rask dreng til et godt hjem' – ham! Vinderloddet viser sig at tilhøre den flamboyante Madam Flora, der driver et bordel for byens bedre borgerskab og bryster sig af at tage sig godt af sine piger. Her får Ernest job som stikirenddreng og får for første gang nogensinde noget, der minder om et hjem og en familie. I 1962, godt halvtreds år senere, er der igen verdensudstilling i byen. Ernest er nu en ældre mand, og hans datter Juju, der er journalist på den lokale avis, stiller nysgerrige spørgsmål til den første verdensudstilling. Der er minder fra den tid, Ernest helst ikke vil genbesøge, og gamle hemmeligheder, der ikke må se dagens lys, men samtidig må Ernest måske åbne lidt op, hvis han også skal hjælpe sin syge kone med at få hukommelsen tilbage. ”En stemningsfuld, inderlig og smuk fortælling … Det er Ford, når han er bedst.” – Kristin Hannah, forfatter til Nattergalen Pressen skriver: »Dette er en fremragende roman, bygget på en sand historie, og en af den slags bøger, der åbner døre til verdener, man ikke vidste, man havde brug for at kigge ind i.« ***** – Femina »Romanen rammer lige i hjertekulen med sin dybt rørende kærlighedshistorie og sin beskrivelse af et miljø, der på overfladen ser flot ud, men som i virkeligheden er manipulerende og falskt, og som kommer til at koste hovedpersonerne dyrt og sætter dybe spor hele livet.« ***** – Familie Journal »Historien fortælles i et mættet og sanseligt sprog, og man ser scenerne for sig, efterhånden som de ruller frem.« ***** – Søndag »Historien er velfortalt, sproget er let og strømmende, fyldt med farver og liv, og det er en absolut læseværdig bog … en god og gribende historie, som vil blive hos dig længe.« – Skriv for livet