Events - Event View

Love and Other Consolation Prizes

By Jamie 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 once he’s there, amid the exotic exhibits, fireworks, and Ferris wheels, he discovers that 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 was with who she wanted to be, while trying to keep family secrets hidden from their grown-up daughters.
Candy will lead the discussion.

For this meeting, we will meet at the Community Center at Windsor Gardens.  Address is 597 So. Clinton Street.  From Alameda, turn south at the stop light. You will also see a sign at this intersection that says Center Point Restaurant and Golf Course   You will be on Clinton Street.  Go straight and you will see the Community Center on your right.  Turn right into the parking lot.  Look for the entrance with the numbers 597 over a glass double door.  We will have someone in the lobby to direct you to our meeting room.  We will try to have someone in the parking lot to help you, also.  We are allowed to bring non-alcoholic beverages and food into the room.  The restaurant is in this same building.  You may purchase alcohol at the restaurant and bring it to the meeting room.