Reviews
Advance praise for Songs of Willow Frost "Ford is a first-rate novelist whose bestselling debut, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, was a joy to read. With his new book, he takes a great leap forward and demonstrates the uncanny ability to move me to tears." --Pat Conroy, author of South of Broad "This is a tender, powerful, and deeply satisfying story about the universal quest for love, forgiveness, belonging, and family. If you liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, you're going to love Songs of Willow Frost ." --Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice "I could not turn away from the haunting story or the stunning historical details that bring Depression-era Seattle to cinematic life. 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 "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed. I loved it." --Susan Wiggs, author of The Apple Orchard "One of those rare books that move right into your heart and stay there. Ford's new--and long-awaited--book is a delight to read, and is destined to become a book-club favorite." --Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "Ford has done it again, creating characters so full of passion and courage that we cannot help but follow them into the pages of history." --Jean Kwok, author of Girl in Translation "Ford weaves another rich tapestry of history and family drama in this cliff-hanging tale of an abandoned boy and the Chinese American singer he is convinced is his missing mother. Hope and fate, laughs and tears: Songs of Willow Frost has it all." --Ivan Doig, author of The Bartender's Tale "An engrossing saga . . . Ford has done it again." --Patricia Wood, author of Lottery, Advance praise for Songs of Willow Frost "Ford is a first-rate novelist whose bestselling debut, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, was a joy to read. With his new book, he takes a great leap forward and demonstrates the uncanny ability to move me to tears." --Pat Conroy, author of South of Broad "This is a tender, powerful, and deeply satisfying story about the universal quest for love, forgiveness, belonging, and family. If you liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, you're going to love Songs of Willow Frost ." --Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice "I could not turn away from the haunting story or the stunning historical details that bring Depression-era Seattle to cinematic life. 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 "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed. I loved it." --Susan Wiggs, author of The Apple Orchard "One of those rare books that move right into your heart and stay there. Ford's new--and long-awaited--book is a delight to read, and is destined to become a book-club favorite." --Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "Ford has done it again, creating characters so full of passion and courage that we cannot help but follow them into the pages of history." --Jean Kwok, author of Girl in Translation "Ford weaves another rich tapestry of history and family drama in this cliff-hanging tale of an abandoned boy and the Chinese American singer he is convinced is his missing mother. Hope and fate, laughs and tears: Songs of Willow Frost has it all." --Ivan Doig, author of The Bartender's Tale "An engrossing saga . . . Ford has done it again." --Patricia Wood, author of Lottery From the Hardcover edition., "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 "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed." --Susan Wiggs, author of The Apple Orchard "One of those rare books that move right into your heart and stay there . . . a delight to read [that is] destined to become a book-club favorite." --Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "Characters so full of passion and courage that we cannot help but follow them into the pages of history." --Jean Kwok, author of Girl in Translation "Ford weaves another rich tapestry of history and family drama in this cliff-hanging tale. . . . Hope and fate, laughs and tears: Songs of Willow Frost has it all." --Ivan Doig, author of The Bartender's Tale, "Arresting . . . You can't blame Willow for weeping, and you will likely weep along with her as you come to understand how she made the choices she did. . . . [ Songs of Willow Frost has] the kind of ending readers always hope for, but seldom get." -- The Dallas Morning News "A story of determination and resourcefulness, and of finding the right family . . . Jamie Ford's new novel, Songs of Willow Frost, is set during the 1930s, the era of the Great Depression and the explosive growth of the movie industry. Both play a part in the book's poignant tale of lost and found love that reads like a heart-on-its-sleeve plot for one of the black-and-white films of the day." -- Tampa Bay Times "I could not turn away from the haunting story or the stunning historical details that bring Depression-era Seattle to cinematic life. 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 "Beautifully told . . . [ Songs of Willow Frost ] offers us hope that even in hard times, love wins out." -- Missoula Independent "Ford is a first-rate novelist whose first book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, was a joy to read. With his new book, he takes a great leap forward and has the uncanny ability to move me to tears." --Pat Conroy, author of South of Broad "[A] forthright, affecting second novel . . . a fine-textured study of human loss and, finally, triumph." -- Library Journal "Handily lives up to the promise of its much-praised predecessor (and Ford's debut), Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet . . . The urgency of childhood, the heart-wrenching decisions parents must make, and the trials of poverty give this novel a solid emotional footing." -- Publishers Weekly "A tender, deeply felt novel . . . Songs of Willow Frost ultimately yields redemption, hope and plentiful fodder for book club conversations. Ford's fans will fall in love all over again. . . . Sure to be another book club hit." -- Shelf Awareness, Praise for Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet "A wartime-era Chinese-Japanese variation on Romeo and Juliet . . . The period detail [is] so revealing and so well rendered."- The Seattle Times "Mesmerizing and evocative, a tale of conflicted loyalties and timeless devotion."-Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants "An impressive, bitter, and sweet debut that explores the age-old conflicts between father and son and the depths and longings of deep-heart love."-Lisa See, author of Dreams of Joy "A moving story of love lost and perhaps once again found."-United Press International "A tender and satisfying novel . . . This is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more important, it will make you feel."-Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain "A satisfying and heart-wrenching tale . . . that transports the reader back in time." -Deseret Morning News, Advance praise for Songs of Willow Frost "Ford is a first-rate novelist whose bestselling debut, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, was a joy to read. With his new book, he takes a great leap forward and demonstrates the uncanny ability to move me to tears." -Pat Conroy, author of South of Broad "This is a tender, powerful, and deeply satisfying story about the universal quest for love, forgiveness, belonging, and family. If you liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, you're going to love Songs of Willow Frost ." -Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice "I could not turn away from the haunting story or the stunning historical details that bring Depression-era Seattle to cinematic life. 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 "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed. I loved it." -Susan Wiggs, author of The Apple Orchard "One of those rare books that move right into your heart and stay there. Ford's new-and long-awaited-book is a delight to read, and is destined to become a book-club favorite." -Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "Ford has done it again, creating characters so full of passion and courage that we cannot help but follow them into the pages of history." -Jean Kwok, author of Girl in Translation "Ford weaves another rich tapestry of history and family drama in this cliff-hanging tale of an abandoned boy and the Chinese American singer he is convinced is his missing mother. Hope and fate, laughs and tears: Songs of Willow Frost has it all." -Ivan Doig, author of The Bartender's Tale "An engrossing saga . . . Ford has done it again." -Patricia Wood, author of Lottery From the Hardcover edition., "Arresting . . . You can't blame Willow for weeping, and you will likely weep along with her as you come to understand how she made the choices she did. . . . [ Songs of Willow Frost has] the kind of ending readers always hope for, but seldom get." -- The Dallas Morning News "A story of determination and resourcefulness, and of finding the right family . . . Jamie Ford's new novel, Songs of Willow Frost, is set during the 1930s, the era of the Great Depression and the explosive growth of the movie industry. Both play a part in the book's poignant tale of lost and found love that reads like a heart-on-its-sleeve plot for one of the black-and-white films of the day." -- Tampa Bay Times "I could not turn away from the haunting story or the stunning historical details that bring Depression-era Seattle to cinematic life. 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 "A tender, deeply felt novel . . . Songs of Willow Frost ultimately yields redemption, hope and plentiful fodder for book club conversations. Ford's fans will fall in love all over again. . . . Sure to be another book club hit." -- Shelf Awareness "Ford is a first-rate novelist whose first book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, was a joy to read. With his new book, he takes a great leap forward and has the uncanny ability to move me to tears." --Pat Conroy, author of South of Broad "[A] forthright, affecting second novel . . . a fine-textured study of human loss and, finally, triumph." -- Library Journal "Handily lives up to the promise of its much-praised predecessor (and Ford's debut), Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet . . . The urgency of childhood, the heart-wrenching decisions parents must make, and the trials of poverty give this novel a solid emotional footing." -- Publishers Weekly, "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 "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed." --Susan Wiggs, author of The Apple Orchard "One of those rare books that move right into your heart and stay there . . . a delight to read [that is] destined to become a book-club favorite." --Anne Fortier, author of Juliet "Characters so full of passion and courage that we cannot help but follow them into the pages of history." --Jean Kwok, author of Girl in Translation "Ford weaves another rich tapestry of history and family drama in this cliff-hanging tale. . . . Hope and fate, laughs and tears: Songs of Willow Frost has it all." --Ivan Doig, author of The Bartender's Tale
Synopsis
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. 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 "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed." --Susan Wiggs, author of The Apple Orchard, "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. 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" "A beautiful novel . . . William's journey is one you'll savor, and then think about long after the book is closed."--Susan Wiggs, author of "The Apple Orchard"
