The Pacific Between [Paperback]

Raymond K. Wong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2006

Betrayal makes us do strange things. When Greg Lockland returns to California for his parents' funeral, he discovers letters that suggest an affair between his ex-lover, Lian, and his late father. Suspicions, anger and jealousy take Greg on a transpacific journey to find the truth. One by one, people from the past return to his life, including elusive and perfect Lian. Uncovering deep-rooted deceptions creates more twists and turns to the past than an old Chinese alleyway. The Pacific Between evinces the power of unconditional love and deals with personal subjects such as death, estrangement, and betrayal. It is a man’s journey to discover himself and the world around him. Told with wit and humor, this nostalgic tale speaks true to the heart about relationships, families, and sacrifices.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After the death of his parents in a car accident, 32-year-old Californian Greg Lockland, narrator of this melodramatic debut, finds some disturbing love letters in his despised father's safe-deposit box. The letters are from Lian, a nurse with whom a teenaged Greg had a brief but intense affair when his family lived in Hong Kong. A confused and angry Greg crosses the Pacific to find Lian and the truth about her relationship with his father. Now an opera singer, Lian is as beautiful as ever, and though Greg's suspicions are heightened by Lian's reticence to speak about the past, he finds himself falling for her again despite his new romance back in California with old friend Kate. And-surprise-Lian may not be so available herself. As he stalks Lian around Hong Kong, Greg indulges in tiresome nostalgia and grating self-pity. Forced metaphors, movie-of-the-week dialogue, and purple passages weaken things further, making Greg's journey interminable.
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About the Author

Raymond K Wong studied creative writing at UCLA. Mr. Wongs work has been published in The Asian-American Anthology, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and Writers Post Journal. He also writes a movie column for Actors Ink. When Ray isnt writing, he is a film and television actor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Behler Publications (January 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933016329
• ISBN-13: 978-1933016320
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,288,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Raymond K. Wong studied creative writing at UCLA. His work has been published in The Asian-American Anthology, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and Writers Post Journal. His essay, "The Truths about Rains and
Floods" has been included in the anthology, Stories of Strength, that benefits disaster relief charities and features 100 other authors including Orson Scott Card, Wil Wheaton and Robin Lee Hatcher. He also
writes a column for Actors Ink. When Ray isn't writing, his is a film and television actor, having appeared in features such as Roommates and Sex and the City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and thoughtful, September 25, 2007

By 

Jay L. Young (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pacific Between (Paperback)

I usually don't read this type of novel and having read the Publisher's Weekly review, I was prepared for a drawn-out melodrama, but I found myself utterly sucked in to The Pacific Between. I could not put this book down!

Raymond Wong's debut novel is not only filled with insight about the nature of love, maturity, and forgiveness, it's told in a thoroughly engaging and honest manner. All the characters were well-developed, believable and interesting. Greg's whiplash journey to uncover his past and ultimately understand his future was touching and vivid. I can't wait to read Raymond's next novel!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, August 16, 2010

By 

June E. Kramin (Southern Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pacific Between (Paperback)

There are enough reviews here with the story details so all I can add is to tell you how much I also thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved all the characters, especially Greg and the personal growth he took throughout the book. Ray's description of the scenery was amazing - you truly really felt like you were there. I've recommended the book to many friends and will continue to do so. I look forward to reading more from this author.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voyage of Self Discovery!, August 14, 2010

By 

Happily Ever After Reviews - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pacific Between (Paperback)

LynnMarie's Review

The Pacific Between is written from Greg Lockland's first person perspective. He's a likeable character, though confused about many aspects of his life. The story takes us on his voyage of self discovery. He travels from the US, across the Pacific, to China, to confront the demons of his past. Even though he is content in a relationship with Kate, he can't stop thinking about his lost love from a life forgotten. Once he arrives in China, he immediately seeks out Lian, the woman that his mind has defined as perfection all these years apart.

When he finds what he's been seeking, he gets a lot more than he bargained for. The Pacific Between entwines a mystery, lost love, unfulfilled expectations and betrayal, as we join Greg on his emotional journey. Greg's character is realistically flawed, humorous and confused about what he wants.

Raymond K. Wong masterfully describes the setting of this book as an artist would paint a picture. You get lost in the larger than life dialogue, and walk with Greg through the streets of China as he looks for something that doesn't even exist.

The Pacific Between is a well written novel with a beautiful, yet somewhat tragic romantic element weaved throughout the pages. Greg learns that sometimes reality isn't as wonderful as our memories. He comes full circle and discovers that happiness wasn't that far away from him at all. Well done!


4 1/2 Tea Cups!