Fixer Chao: A Novel (Paperback)

by Han Ong (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Building from an amusing satirical premise, Ong's quintessentially of-the-moment debut expands into a scathing commentary on life in contemporary New York. Gay Filipino hustler William Paulinha stops turning tricks in the Port Authority Men's Room after he meets Shem C, a failed writer who wants revenge on the Manhattan upper crust who have spurned him. Under Shem's plan, William pretends to be Feng Shui expert Master Chao and preys on Shem's unsuspecting victims by demanding royal payment for the marvelously nonsensical advice he gives to perpetually disenchanted wealthy homeowners. Inevitably, he is found out. Written with acidic wit, Ong's novel is sharp and savvy, smashing sacred cows casually but forcefully. When William is verbally assaulted by a client who has discovered the scheme, he responds in kind, asking a moneyed but miserable homeowner, "Did you think that Feng Shui could repair your ugly soul?" The narrative paints painfully contrasting pictures of privileged society and New York's underbelly, of which Ong offers an invigoratingly clearheaded view, as William encounters numerous loners in his forays into their seedy milieu. Ong also brings the Asian perspective into his work with considerable subtlety. Although William frequently feels watched and suspected, he does not allow racial prejudice to hinder him as he moves through the Caucasian world; Ong seems most concerned that his readers awaken to the world's hypocrisy. 3-city author tour. (Apr.) Forecast: MacArthur Fellowship winner Ong's stage plays, Dark Bakersfield and Middle Finger, have already earned him an audience among young people on the scene. This hip, unsparing tale has word-of-mouth potential.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal
Recently, feng shui the Chinese art of arranging a living space in such a way that good fortune is induced as a result has begun to infiltrate American public consciousness. It was only a matter of time before the concept appeared somewhere in our literature. Fortunately for us, playwright Ong puts feng shui to good use in this superb and scathingly satirical first novel that paints a fiercely condemning portrait of a shallow and overprivileged upper class. Set in the always class-stratified Manhattan, this novel tells of William Narcisco Paulinha, a Filipino male prostitute who is offered the opportunity to escape his wretched existence by Shem C, a writer bent on revenge owing to his lack of success. At Shem's insistence, William assumes the role of Master Chao, a feng shui expert, and the two begin to rob New York's superwealthy of both their money and their well-being by "fixing" their homes. As William moves through the class spectrum of Manhattan, he offers sardonic and keen observations about social, racial, and cultural distinctions and privileges. Ong's strong writing keeps the plot moving at a good pace, and his abilities as a playwright serve him well in rendering excellent dialog. Highly recommended. "Library Journal"
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Picador (April 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312420536
• ISBN-13: 978-0312420536
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #828,844 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most remarkable debut!, April 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fixer Chao (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underneath it All, Were All Pretty Much the Same, April 24, 2004

By	Andy Raven (Manchester) - See all my reviews

William Paulinha is an aimless, Filipino street hustler in New York who's done plenty of menial jobs, including turning tricks in the Port Authority men's room. Then one day he's given a chance to improve his lot by Shem C, an embittered social-climbing writer, who wants revenge on the uppercrust of Manhattan's elite who have rejected him. Under Shem C's guidance and armed with the knowledge from a few library books, William is transformed into Master Chao, a revered Feng Shui practitioner from Hong Kong. William, as Master Chao, performs Feng Shui ceremonies to harmonize the homes and the lives of his clients and before long Manhattan's loftiest poets, writers, editors and bankers are all clamoring for his advice.

As the scam escalates, the line between truth and untruth starts to blur. William becomes Master Chao in his mind. His original class envy and disdain is replaced by his desire to belong. Is it really a scam if he believes in it himself? Has the Feng Shui con of the century turned on him?

With caustic wit, Mr. Ong paints a picture of the foolishness of keeping up with the Jones's, but he also shows his readers that underneath even a pile of wealth, people are pretty much the same in this novel that I couldn't put down.

Andy Raven, Raving United Fan

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark, Funny, Touching, March 2, 2004

By	A Reader (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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.