by Jamie Ford
First published 2017
Plucked from an orphanage, Ernest Young is raffled off as a prize at the 1909 Seattle World's Fair. Ending up in the hands of the madam of a notorious brothel, Ernest finds unexpected friendship and opportunity amidst the seedy underbelly of the city. As he navigates this new world, Ernest must reconcile his dreams of a better life with the stark realities he now faces. Inspired by true events, this poignant tale explores the power of resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adoption
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Seattle
Period: 1909
320 pages · Hardcover · Ballantine Books