“Love and Other Consolation Prizes,” the latest novel from Jamie Ford, will be featured at the Adult Book Discussion on Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Mount Vernon.
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.
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.”
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 Consolation Prizes” is an enchanting tale about innocence and devotion—in a world where everything, and everyone, is for sale.
An autographed copy of the book will be given as a door prize at the end of the program. Refreshments will be served.
Hardback, paperback, large print, audio, and e-books are available at the main library or can be requested at any library branch. For more information, call the main library at 740-392-2665 (BOOK), visit www.knox.net or email communityrelations@knox.net.