Love and Other Surprises

Love and Other Consolation Prizes has ratings and reviews. Angela M said: On one level, Jamie Ford's novels can be characterized as sweet, s.
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After all this section of the film relentlessly pummels you with their sales strategy, arguments and counter-arguments where some aren't really flattering, or even ethical to begin with. It's like a statement of how numbers and quotas are being chased no matter the cost, and their sales training made for some comedic fodder.


  • Love & Other Drugs () - IMDb;
  • The Butterflies (MALDONADO MYSTERIES).
  • Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.
  • Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren.
  • Love and Other Scandals.
  • Movies in Theaters!

And to make matters worst, it puts up front how the use of freebies can open up doors which are closed, and to Jamie it also means manipulating women to get at what he wants, especially an account with Dr Stan Knight Hank Azaria who in one scene opened up and blabbers about how corrupt the entire industry could be in demolishing one's medical ideals. So I suppose it's fair game for Pfizer since the story, or at least this part of it, is based on the book "Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman" by author Jamie Reidy, himself a former Pfizer sales rep, because at least it gets itself everywhere in the film by virtue of Jamie's job.

Besides the lessons learnt and applicability in the corporate world, I totally agree with how being good looking puts one at a certain advantage because people like aesthetically pleasing things and beings, or try as hard to deny that such things exist. Things work, appeals work, and just about everything one touches turn into gold, or you get a leg up in your mission in life. This entire part on the bubbling new career of Jamie's I enjoyed and had a huge chuckle from for its bold portrayal of things that cut close to real life. Then there's the romantic portion of the film that kicked in once Anne Hathaway's Maggie Murdock comes into the picture, piquing Jamie's interest when she revealed a boob and caught him ogling.

The love between the two is anything but simple and I touch on this in a while since she wants to keep her emotional walls up to prevent from getting hurt again. They reach an agreeable compromise in establishing a relation that's built on purely physical terms, and try as hard as they can to avoid falling into the usual relationship trap. Through their interactions we learn a lot more about their characters, and in these moments come the expansion to prevent them from lapsing into caricature mode. Both Gyllenhaal and Hathaway score in their respective roles, so much so that it earned them a Golden Globe nomination each.

Gyllenhaal's Jamie develops from schmuck to an all round nice guy, something which love does of course since it forces you to care about somebody else, while Hathaway has to mimic an early stage of Parkinson's for her Maggie role, and brings to light some basic understanding of sufferers for the disease in which there's still no cure. After all, modern medicine seems to be interested in developing products that have mass market demand like Viagra appealing to the primal desires of men and women too which automatically translates to profits.

Needless to say having been on screen together sans clothes too in Brokeback Mountain meant some natural chemistry already established and which they shared But the third part to the film was the home run for me. It defines the concept of unconditional love, other than the innate one that a mom will always possess for her kids.

You'll know someone is right for you, and there's no point denying it anyway, when they choose to stick by you when they know the going will get tough, that things will turn out quite the nightmare and disadvantageous, but decide to do so nonetheless. It takes the concept of "in sickness and in health" and weaves a strong emotional narrative around it in this film, where a couple not yet bounded by matrimonial vows, decide to adopt its concept implicitly. One is a sufferer from an incurable, long term disease, afraid to get too close to someone in fear of being pitied upon, or unfairly bogging down and clipping another's wings when the other half has opportunities to take off and fly.

But no, the film isn't that sombre in mood always, and contains plenty of comedy also courtesy of Oliver Platt as Jamie's sales manager, and that of Josh Gad playing Jamie's uncouth brother Josh, a one time internet paper millionaire until the dot com bubble burst, having to live on the couch in Jamie's apartment, the details of his shenanigans best left for you to find out from the film. The strength of Love and Other Drugs come from the development and transformation of characters and their relationships with each other, which dialogues that reminded me of, of all films, Jerry Maguire, set against an historical backdrop of developments in the medical industry that shook up the whole world.

As I said, it's smart and all encompassing for a film like how Zwick likes his films to be, and I'm sure has elements that you'll identify with and enjoy. I'm firmly putting this in my Highly Recommended list, and an early shoo in as one of the best of this year, even though it's early.

On Dvd & Streaming

Now excuse me as I go practice my Hey Lisa routine! Explore popular and recently added TV series available to stream now with Prime Video. Start your free trial. Find showtimes, watch trailers, browse photos, track your Watchlist and rate your favorite movies and TV shows on your phone or tablet! Millie Bobby Brown Before Eleven. Ian Novick as Pfizer Trainee 3. Tess Soltau as Pfizer Trainee 4. Constance Brenneman as Pfizer Trainee 5. Nicole Thomas as Prizer Trainee 6. Jasper Soffer as Pfizer Trainee 7. Kwame Rakes as Doctor in Parking Lot. Scott Cohen as Ted Goldstein.

Sharon Wilkins as La Boheme Receptionist. Brian Hutchison as Homeless Man. Dana Dancho as Smiling Receptionist. Lisa Ann Goldsmith as Nurse Janice. Rick Applegate as Viagra Doctor. Jean Zarzour as Viagra Sample Nurse. Jennifer Delaeo as Viagra Receptionist. Deidre Goodwin as Viagra Nurse 1. Geneva Carr as Viagra Nurse 2. Vanessa Aspillaga Vazquez as Viagra Nurse 3.

Frank Cantanzano as Himself. Patricia Cray as Kindly-Looking Woman. Frank Catanzano as Himself. Frank Ferraro as Himself. Judy Pergl as Herself. Kim Cagni as Herself. Kristin Spatafore as Convention Girl 1. Emanuele as Convention Girl 2. Rizzo as Front Desk Receptionist. Jason Bernard as Quack Doctor. Nicole Perrone as Determined Receptionist. Jo Newman as Bree. Christina Fandino as Khae. Kevin McClatchy as Justin. January 4, Full Review…. December 27, Rating: December 17, Rating: December 3, Rating: November 30, Full Review…. November 24, Rating: November 9, Rating: October 14, Rating: May 26, Rating: January 27, Rating: July 14, Rating: Yung had to leave his mother because they both were starving, and her hope was for a better life for her son.

When Yung got to America, his name was changed to Ernest, and he spent his first few years at a school where he was always the underling even though a rich woman, Mrs. Irvine, was paying for his room and board. Irvine told Ernest she was taking him to the World's Fair. She didn't take him to enjoy it, but to be auctioned off in a raffle as a strong, healthy boy.

Ernest ended up being won by the owner of a brothel as a houseboy, and the place he met his wife.

Now his childhood and his life before children and marriage were coming to light. His daughter is a reporter and is investigating the World's Fair and stories she heard about those who attended. She knew her father had been there and wants to know everything. Ernest didn't want to tell his daughter his story because then she would find out about her mother's life at that time. It was a life that wasn't anything to be proud of. Gracie was now suffering from dementia, and Ernest was hoping she wouldn't accidentally remember the life she led when she was young and tell her daughter.

We follow Ernest from his childhood to present day and learn what life was like for him in both times. Ford knows how to tell a story and keep your interest with his meticulous historical research, his history lesson, and his superb writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I hope you are able to also read it. View all 8 comments.

Aug 24, Lori rated it it was amazing. This is my favorite of Fords novels to date! I adore stories that allow elderly characters to revisit their pasts. So many amazing events happen during lifetimes that we take it for granted to ask our elders about them. I feel confident that this novel will be a huge success. I received this ARC from netgalley. Set in the early 's, 12 yr old Ernest is raffled off at the fair and won by a madam. We follow him as he grows up in the infamous madam's house. He is befriended by the daughter of the madam and a Japanese kitchen servant.

Their friendship is the first love that Ernest has ever known. I loved the way Ford weaves fact with fiction. I would definitely recommend this book. View all 4 comments. I love the personal touch that Ford incorporates into his stories and the fact that he pays tribute to his heritage, all done in a way that is seamless yet meaningful.

There was so much to love about this book, as it truly combined the best of everything I normally look for in historical fiction: While I wait patiently to get my hands on whatever Ford decides to write next, for sure I will be moving up the two previous novels he wrote Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Songs of Willow Frost from my TBR so I can get to both of them before the end of the year.

Wonderful book, highly recommended! View all 13 comments. What an unusual premise for a story: In real life, the child was a one-month-old baby boy named Ernest. The winning ticket was drawn but no one ever claimed the prize and it is not known what happened to the infant. Jamie Ford uses this amazing true occurrence as the idea for his new book. His protagonis What an unusual premise for a story: He is just one of several abandoned or orphaned children aboard ship. After arriving at a holding center in Seattle, he is made a ward of the state and goes on to live in a series of boarding schools and reformatories.

Now the boy is about to turn twelve and is known as Ernest Young. His sponsor, Mrs Ida Irvine, a wealthy do-gooder social reformer, is disappointed to learn that he wishes to leave his current school, the Holy Word Academy, and she is the one who comes up with the brilliant idea to make him the prize in a raffle at the upcoming world's fair, to aid a civic organization to which she belongs.

And so the big day arrives and Ernest doesn't know what to expect. When the winning number is drawn, it seems at first that no one will claim their prize, but then a beautiful woman comes forward. She is the infamous Madame Florence who runs the Tenderloin, a high-end Seattle brothel, and she is pleased to meet her new houseboy.

Mrs Irvine, of course, is appalled--the rules say that he is to go 'to a good home' after all--but Florence Nettleton wins the argument and takes her 'raffle prize' home with her. There Ernest will meet the two young girls who will be the loves of his life: Ernest has made a life for himself with one of those two girls who stole his heart as a young boy and they have two grown daughters. But the woman he calls Gracie is now losing her memory, a consequence of the life they led as children in the Tenderloin. And now the past must be revealed to their daughters as Ernest tries to help Gracie remember their life together.

Jamie Ford has such an engaging writing style! It's so delightful to return to Seattle to see it in another era and experience a little known lifestyle. If you've enjoyed Jamie Ford's other books, I'm sure you'll enjoy this one just as much. Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an arc of this new book. View all 14 comments. This is the love story you have been looking for. Sweet, simple and enduring, this is a tale of love in all of its forms as we follow one small boy on an amazing journey through life, from his innocent beginnings in China across an ocean in the belly of a ship to his new life in the United States, where he found love, friends and family that would endure throughout the decades of his life.

Set in Seattle, and spanning over 60 years, history will come alive as Ernest and his quiet gift of love and This is the love story you have been looking for. Set in Seattle, and spanning over 60 years, history will come alive as Ernest and his quiet gift of love and caring becomes the true measure of humanity at its finest, a rare and precious gift. Beautiful story-telling from the heart for everyone, because we are all human beings, and can all use an example of fine humanity. Ballantine Books September 12, Publication Date: September 12, Genre: Ernest is sent to the United States from China for a better life.

He is adopted to a well-off family, but he never really fits in. It seems impossible that a young boy could be raffle 4. The winner of the raffle is the owner of a brothel that boasts of high class girls. She wants Ernest to be her house boy. Over time, he settles in his surroundings and has formed a new family at the brothel. There are many revelations throughout. The biggest theme I came away with, is what it means to be a family and its many forms.

A vividly imagined tale based on a true event was a delight to read. The story starts with Ernest Young as a small boy after his Chinese mother has sent him sailing for a better life in America, where he is auctioned off at the Seattle Exposition. But this is one of those times when I felt that the concept of a story was lost in the execution of it.

The pace was uneven, slow to start, better in the middle, and an ending that s The story starts with Ernest Young as a small boy after his Chinese mother has sent him sailing for a better life in America, where he is auctioned off at the Seattle Exposition. The pace was uneven, slow to start, better in the middle, and an ending that seemed to drag out over several chapters. Ernest as a boy falls in love with two girls, and is as an adult recounting their adventures growing up in a brothel, while anticipating the Seattle World's Fair with his wife, Gracie. Early on we know that one of those young girls is Gracie, although that's not either of their names.

So you keep reading to figure out this odd puzzle. I really had high hopes for this one.

Let's Talk About The 's Newest Relationship (and Other Premiere Surprises) | E! News

Ford's first book is one of my favorites, but the next and this one were lacking that certain something that puts you on edge and makes you excited to pick it back up again where you left off. Ernest was such a sweet character but I think he deserved a better story with more interesting players on his team. I saw many similarities with Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet , but this one didn't match up. I still liked it and I do appreciate receiving an advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher. Although a winning ticket was drawn, nobody claimed the prize.


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    6. The ultimate destiny of the child was still being investigated in Life takes you in many different directions and it is often how you take to its direction that determines the path you will follow. In it we follow the life of a young Chinese boy Ernest Young, who is transported to America, on board a ship destined to land in Seattle. Aboard the ship are other children being 4. Aboard the ship are other children being brought here to work as indentured servants or for other various occupations many of which are nefarious.

    There Ernest meets Fahn, the lovely Japanese girl who eventually becomes a major part of his life. Life takes a definite turn when Ernest is raffled off at the Seattle's World's Fair and the winning ticket is held by a madam. Ernest winds up in a house of ill repute where he meets Maisie, the lovely young daughter of the madam.

    Ironically Fahn winds up there as well and the three young people embark on a journey of learning, loving, and binding themselves together. Ernest falls in love with both of the girls as he finds within that brothel the family he never had. Fifty years later, there is a new World's Fair and we find Ernest grappling with his life experiences and a wife who is ill and losing her mind. He endeavors to keep secrets from his grown daughters but as is often the case the truth wells out.

    This was a wonderful story told through the backdrop of two World's Fairs during the time of the post Victorian era, a time of budding sexuality and suffrage. This was definitely a story of love and compassion, one that showed that life in the many avenues it often travels gives us all that opportunity to find goodness and devotion and most importantly love. Living in a world where everything was for sale, Ernest was able to find that his value was the one thing that wasn't.

    Another beautifully written story by Jamie Ford.

    Love and Other Words

    Oh, what that boy sees, hears and learns along the way - such a great ride! The three unforgettable characters become fast friends, their interrelationships complex and fascinating. I was completely consumed and felt like I was breathing the same air. As the story cuts back and forth between the past and present when Ernest is a man in his later years, I could only speculate who the woman was that he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with but who is sadly moving into senility.

    View all 5 comments. Jul 20, Mlpmom Book Reviewer rated it it was amazing Shelves: Ford's debut novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was one of my absolute favorite reads, not only of the year I read it but one I still think about and consider in my top reads of all time, so it was no wonder how crazy excited I got when I saw he had another release coming out and in the same vein as his first.

    I don't think I've ever hit a request button so quickly as I did for it. In fact I stalked Netgalley until it was available because I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I Ford's debut novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was one of my absolute favorite reads, not only of the year I read it but one I still think about and consider in my top reads of all time, so it was no wonder how crazy excited I got when I saw he had another release coming out and in the same vein as his first. I knew it was going to be something special, something emotional and something so worth my time and all the feels I would go through while experiencing it.

    Ford knows how to weave a tale riddled with history and heartbreak, hope, and love unlike any other author out there. He truly is a master at what he does. It isn't often that one can make you crave history, romance, and a happily ever after, along with struggling and feeling right along with the characters.

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    To be both sad and happy at once, along with heartbroken and angry for everything we put one another through as a people and as a country and as a nation. His words are powerful in every way imaginable and it is so incredibly easy to get wrapped up in the story and the characters themselves until you are completely consumed by them and want nothing more than to see how it will all come together and wishing like crazy that there will be a happily ever after when all is said and done. This story moved me. It touched my heart and rocked my world. The characters, the setting, the circumstances.

    I couldn't have asked for a more heart felt, emotional read. I loved every single minute of it and I didn't want it to end but at the same time, was eager to see how it would.

    Love and Other Drugs

    Once again Ford has exceeded all my expectations and once again touched my heart and soul with his beautifully written stories and unforgettable characters. This story will forever live on min my thoughts and memories. He may just be twelve years old but already has suffered after being sent from China to America in the cargo zone of a ship as an infant along with other children , then becoming a ward of the state in Washington and not have any place to call home.

    But in a cruel twist of fate, Ernest's life is about to take a hard hit as he learns that he is the "prize" for the raffle to take place in the Alaska Y "Healthy Boy to good home for the winning ticket holder. But in a cruel twist of fate, Ernest's life is about to take a hard hit as he learns that he is the "prize" for the raffle to take place in the Alaska Yukon Pacific Expo. Ernest is "won" by a madam of a high end brothel and becomes the houseboy of "The Tenderloin". Though an unsual place to find himself in, this is his first real home and his first real shot at having a family.

    Ernest was given away or maybe sold by his mother when he was a small boy. Traveling in the cargo zone of a ship for a month from China to the States, his life was far from easy upon arrival. Ernest is happy to be able to go to the AYP fair unaware that he is the "prize" of the day. By day's end, he is the houseboy of the Tenderloin, one of Seattle's high end brothels.

    Surprisingly, Ernest finds that he is quite at ease at his new home and even makes meaningful connections with some of its residents. Jamie Ford has a great talent for integrating historical details into his work. At the same time, he knows how to deliver a heartfelt and memorable story. Dealing with family, belonging, devotion and ultimately love this book was not exactly what I expected but I did greatly enjoy it.

    The setting was as intriguing as the character progression and plenty times Ford had me questioning who was right and who wrong.