The Year of the Woman [Hardcover]

Jonathan Gash (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Kway Fay was once a "Cockroach Child", a homeless scavenger on Hong Kong s waterfronts. Now grown, she lives in a squatter shack on the mountain slopes, and commutes daily to her job as a lowly office clerk. She survives by paying bribes if she has to, and keeping silent when abused. Her only ally is Grandmother s Ghost. Hong Kong is in turmoil, as this is the time just before the Handover, when the People s Republic of China will repossess the Crown Colony. Hongs and Triads, underworld organizations above the law, are concerned, for China s policy is to eliminate criminal cliques. The head of a Triad learns of the impoverished "no-family" girl who talks to ghosts, and wonders if she is a way out of his dilemma. Except that superstition is forbidden by the incoming regime. The girl might be the last chance for his Triad s survival.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Definitely another collector's item from the very talented Mr Gash --Bolton Evening News

An enthralling yarn that walks a perilous line between socio-political reality and a fascinating dream world of the unique heroine's making --Maxim Jakubowski, the Guardian --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jonathan Gash is the author of a number of crime novels including the popular Lovejoy series. A qualified doctor, specialising in tropical medicine, he lists his hobbies as antique collecting and his family. Jonathan lives in Essex.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Allison & Busby (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749083166
• ISBN-13: 978-0749083168
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,641,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Please let there be another book with Kwayfay, May 9, 2006

By 

F. Morris (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Year of the Woman (Hardcover)

Gash, as ever, has produced a page turner but this one I had to force myself to read slowly -- just a few pages each night. I wanted to prolong my time with Kwayfay.

I can only hope that Gash will continue the story ... I want to see how Little Sister's strength, morality and honesty affect the men of the Triad. And I want to know more about the Jade Woman who also heard Ghost.

Clearly drawn characters, a never-ending undercurrent of threat mixed with ever-near protection (which was odd and comforting), and a girl so human and decent that it just begs another story. (Okay, it's probably me that's begging. Are you listening Mr. Gash?)

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it!!, May 3, 2005

By 

dandysmom "dandysmom" (washington, dc United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Year of the Woman (Hardcover)

Funny, quirky, really hard to categorize,,,so different, I loved it: srory of a young woman in Hong Kong before the takeover by China who talks to the ghost of her great, great, great grandmother and has innocently got caught up in the machinations of a Triad leader. She tries to lie and bluff her way out of problems, and every time she does it seems to re-inforce the fact that she can really see the future. Hysterically funny but also touching...contrast between grinding poverty and "wretched excess",,,and the characters are so well depicted.