Customer Reviews

Fixer Chao: A Novel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is absorbing on many different levels. It opens with some background on the main character, William Paulhina, a Filipino young man who up until the start of the story, makes his living giving oral sex to businessmen in train stations and subways in New York City. One evening, as he is sitting in a bar, he is approached by an older gentleman who propositions him. Suspect at first, William believes the man is desiring his services as a hustler, but the man speaks well and tempts him and his curiousity. They meet again the next evening after the man convinces him that it is not his hustling services he is interested in, but simply his "look" and desire to scam some of Manhattan society, the same people who the man claims reject him. Together, the man Shem and William, embark on a scam employing the ancient philosophy of Feng Shui, but instead use it in a negative way, to "fix" the circle of wealthy "lemming hypocrites" who are just looking for a quick fix for the unhappiness in their privileged lives. What ensues is a tale of how William wrestles with his own desire to be "good" and what he considers evil. He has a conscience, which is clear from the beginning, as he is caretaker to a Filipino lady who suffers a bad hip. He cleans for her, cooks and takes care of her, clearly going above and beyond for his friend. The reader gets the idea that this is the type of person William is from the beginning of the book, which is why we totally empathize with him throughout the story. This is a completely engrossing read, and will fly by so quickly, you won't be aware that, sadly, you've reached the last page. I cannot wait for much more from this important, intelligent bright new star.

This book has ebbs and flows. In the beginning, I really liked the portrait of seedy New York, then it dragged for a while, then I liked it, and finally I was lukewarm about the resolution. Overall, though, it was enjoyable, funny, and thoroughly without redeeming characters.

William Paulinha (aka Master Chao) reads a few books on feng shui so that he can con the rich effetes out of their money. Interestingly, he really believes that feng shui works, so sometimes he uses this power for evil when arranging people's houses. There are several very funny scenes about interior decorating, snobby parties, and Chao's observations about human nature.

The problem with the book, which I ultimately enjoyed, is that there are no characters to like much at all ... if that's a problem for you. If you want a funny, cutting, not nice view of the world, then step right up to Fixer Chao.

There were books that defined aspects of America in the 1980's: Liar's Poker, Less Than Zero, and Bonfire of the Vanities. This book by Han Ong will be a defining classic for Manhattan in 1999, on the cusp of the Millenium and Y2K.

This is the first novel by one of the youngest MacArthur Genius grant recipients, the playwright, Han Ong. In this story, we meet our narrator, William Narcisco Paulinha, a Philippine-American. William has always felt himself to be a loser; he is no piranha in Manhattan's waters. Even though he types perfectly at a speed of 120 wpm, he charges 75% of the market rate, instead of a premium. He types manuscripts for New York's lesser, aspiring writers, or those with poor grammar and run-on sentences, like the Holocaust survivor for whom he takes dictation. But taking dictation and typing are better tasks than his former job, that of a Port Authority Bus Terminal Men's Room hustler and sex worker (No, the book's author never turned tricks at Port Authority). William is a good person. He doesn't correct his elderly clients' grammar and he cares for an elderly Filipino neighbor who suffers from an injured hip.

One evening after work, William meets Shem C., a peculiar Jew in a squalid, Times Square bar, the Savoy (used to be at 41st and 9th). Shem asks Paulinha to buy him a shot, calls him a Chink, and reports that he never heard of the Philippines. (can he be trusted?) Shem is recovering from being thrown out of his home by his nagging wife. She is the daughter of a famous Jewish novelist. Shem is a social climbing, unsuccessful author of book reviews and celebrity profiles. Having been been spurned by Manhattan's elite, he wants to exact sweet revenge. Shem has a proposal for William, who he sees as a down and out Asian. Shem wants to front him as a Chinese Feng Shui expert, a fixer, from Hong Kong, Fixer William Chao, living secretly in America under an assumed name. Shem wants The Fixer Chao to always make one feng shui error, in order to injure the despised elitists. Together they will bilk Manhattan's elite, separating them from their extra money, fixing their unhappy but wealth-filled lives. Shem is a Shem-Sham Man. When William joins him, the reader is left with an enjoyable story and biting commentary on Manhattan life, celebrities, and the lemming-like behavior of those New Yorkers with artistic sensibilities. This is a must read, as each page contains an insightful nugget. Also, a feng shui expert may tell you that reading this book will lead to peace which will lead to clarity and help you get what you deserve and desire.

Intrigued by a recent magazine review, I had no way of knowing just how magnificent this book would be. Han Ong's metre, word choices, tone and language are pitch perfect. Each page of my hardcover is filled with highlighted sentences and exclamations of just how insightful, how observant this first-time novelist is. Whether a foray into autobiography or simply a brilliantly crafted novel, this book is a must read for anyone who has ever strolled up Central Park West and wondered about the lives lived beyond the doorman.

Han Ong has a wonderfully witty and fresh way of expressing himself, using words like caresses as well as lethal weapons. "Fixer Chao" is part social commentary, part intigue, and completely entertaining. The characters are so well drawn that you truly feel the underlying emotions that are not necessarily stated. A true pleasure to read, and thus highly recommended.

The Fixer Chao is one of those books that you never want to put down, but force yourself to, lest it be over too quickly. Funny, dark and touching with out being trite or manipulative, the story is an entertaining ride with a lead character who, despite his faults, is completely engaging. Ong manages a vivid, descriptive style without the reader ever feeling like he or she is being bombarded with superfluous, flowery language. The result is that the atmosphere, setting, and personal quirks of each character wash over you with ease. As to the ending, despite what others have said, I found it completely satisfying. Was it the ending I expected? No. Was it the ending I wanted? No. It was, however, true to the story and the characters and any other "happier" ending would have seemed out of place and forced. A stand-out book.

Books by Filipino authors are so rare, bizzarely given our numbers, that it is a treat to get three excellent books about Fil Ams at once (Ong's; de la Paz's beautiful poetry collection; and Brian Ascalon Roley's harrowing American Son). Ong's is the most comic. The press has been emphasizing its satirical aspects, its portrayal of upperclass New Yorkers, but to me the most lasting effect is the potrayal of loners and bitter losers. It gives weight to what could otherwise have been a transient comic experience.

An outstanding literary debut by playwright Han Ong, Fixer Chao manages to be a brilliant satire of the excesses of elitist Manhattanites in the late 90s, while at the same time managing to be a riveting portrait of a failed American dream. Darkly funny and at times very touching, this novel delves into many themes and is a roller coaster of a ride for both us and our protagonist

William Narcisco Paulinha is a simple, humble man, an immigrant for whom the American Dream has fallen terribly short. Smarter than his circumstances would indicate, William is a thoughtful man, one who would rather devalue himself than others, a mind-set completely opposite of the cut-throat world of Manhattan in which he lives. These days, he types manuscripts for aspiring writers, a much better job than his previous outing as a hustler turning tricks in the Port Authority bus terminal. Lonely and frustrated, William is above all a man who wants to do good, and he is on the verge of turning his life around when a fateful meeting takes place.

One night, at a seedy bar William frequents, he meets Shem, an abrasive, bitter man recently thrown out of his home by his wife, the daughter of a famous novelist. Shem is a social climber (though not terribly good at it), a struggling novelist and a relatively unsuccessful author of celebrity profiles. Having never quite fit into Manhattan's elite, Shem has a plan, a way to exact revenge upon those who see themselves better, smarter and more talented than poor old Shem. Knowing the lemming like quality of the city's upper crust, Shem knows exactly where to hit them, right in their own naiveté. His targets have all the right clothing, the perfect cars, the buzz-inducing interior designers, but most of all they have the desire--no, the absolute need--to be at the forefront of the latest trends, every hot "new thing." Shem has everything he needs to succeed, everything except the Chinese man who can pull it all off.

Shem propositions William to take part and become William Chao, a Feng Shui expert from the mysterious East. Shem explains that all William need do is learn a little about the ancient art and ingratiate himself to the elitists to whom Shem will introduce him. From there, it is simple...enter into their lives and do exactly what they want. Arrange their homes to capture the chi, make their living spaces a conduit for successes even beyond their own imaginations. And when he has won their trust, when their lives are on the upswing because of Master Chao's remarkable gift, pull the rug out from under them by doing one thing wrong. Leave out one simple aspect--a mirror is the wrong place, a bed facing an open doorway--something small that will cause their lives to unravel.

William agrees and embarks upon an adventure that works perfectly as he--no, his alter ego, the Fixer Chao--is lauded and rises to the level of celebrity, the man who can make everything right, the Master whose ancient art can only improve one's life. But just as William becomes enamored with his new persona, with his life amongst the well-to-dos, and starts believing that he does have the "gift," Shem reminds him that it is time to turn the tables. A deal is a deal after all.

Slowly, Fixer Chao weaves subtle mistakes into his work, things no one--especially those who truly know nothing about so mysterious and alluring an art--will notice. And lives begin to unravel. Is it because Master Chao has the power, or is it simply the upper crust's own foibles leading to their downfall? Even William is not quite sure. But just when everything is working perfectly, William meets Kendo, the moody, sexy, appealing son of one of Fixer Chao's most famous clients. And when Kendo catches on to William's real identity and the game he is playing, more than just Kendo's mother's life begins to fall apart.

For me, Fixer Chao was a book I just didn't want to see end. Ong's style is seamless, his words deftly drawing not only a caricature of the time, but a rich life into which one is absorbed. He balances the opulence and excesses of the high-life in Manhattan with the dreary reality of William's real life, and in the process creates two completely opposite worlds co-existing in the same space. The character of William is almost an anti-hero, someone who is terribly flawed, but someone for whom you just want everything to turn out right. And when William meets Kendo, the spark, the attraction is palpable. You just want them both to get together, get away from the shackles of their respective lives. But this isn't a fairy-tale. There isn't a happily ever after here.

Ong is masterful with the prose, rich without ever falling into excesses. He draws his characters fully, with a deft hand, and makes us care about them despite ourselves. The result is a truly satisfying story with wonderful social commentary. It is a story about a twisted sort of love...the love of self, the love of the spotlight, the love of success, but over all, this is a biting satire about the lengths anyone can go to when they are tempted...or naive enough to believe. Highly, highly recommended and one of my essential gay-themed books.

Beyond the surface, most human beings are pretty much the same. It is sometimes hard to see this because we see what our friends, acquaintances and associates are on the outside and not what is going on inside. Beyond the facade, we are all insecure about some things .. strangely, and often wrongly, proud of other things .. and totally blind to the way others see us and view our securities and insecurities.

FIXER CHAO is the kind of book that lets us look at the realities of life.

William is a poor hustler on the outside; but on the inside he is rich with common sense. He is certainly far from perfect; but he has a big heart. He also genuinely wants to be "good". Sometimes he has to ignore his big heart and his wish to be "good" in order to survive; but he is, just the same, a really caring person. He is also capable of genuine love.

Some of the people William deals with in life are seemingly so much more humanitarian. They are chic and give lots to society. However, it is quickly apparent that they only give away what they think will benefit them .. or often what they no longer want. They readily accept William into their circle only because he may make them happier or, even better, richer. Their only concern is to have more than what they already have.

FIXER CHAO is an absolute excyclopedia of human nature and emotion; and it is a very good and worthwhile read. Is it perfect? No. There are parts that drag a bit; but recoveries are swift and the story definitely has the ring of truth. If you have ever known the kind of people that comprise William's clientele, you won't have a bit of trouble believing that it all happened!

Takes a thoroughly accurate stab at Manhattan snobbery and what it means to be 'in'. The story is unpredictable, the characters captivating, the finale satisfying and strangely hopeful.