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whatiswhatwas's review against another edition
5.0
I *really* enjoyed this book. It's a short read, but I really cared about the main character by the end. I found myself tearing up on the plane. These attacks happened when I was quite young, and I honestly knew nothing about them. The author described it in brutal detail, but it was good to learn something new about another part of the world. As an avid traveler, any travel story and/or character grabs my attention, but I particularly enjoyed this one.
nicolebonia's review against another edition
4.0
The Paradise Guest House by Ellen Sussman – Ellen Sussman has written a lovely novel of healing, redemption and forgiveness with The Paradise Guest House. I was intrigued by Jamie’s journey to Bali to confront painful memories haunting her as a result of the nightclub bombing in Bali that killed her boyfriend, and left her with emotional and physical wounds. She also has some issues to resolve with Gabe, a sexy ex-patriot with whom she made a profound connection during her recovery. Sussman achieves the fine balance required to convey the beautiful beaches and unique island culture with a country that struggles to get back to its feet, and to reclaim its carefree nature, peace and tranquility. The different ways we live, process grief, attempt to rebuild in the wake of great personal loss, and take the steps to open ourselves again to love are gently explored in this satisfying novel. Recommended.
bellehile's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lisaeirene's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Great story, enjoyed the characters, got choked up at several parts of the story. It wasn't a long book and I read it in one day.
tee3's review against another edition
2.0
I bought this book from a bargin bin years ago and never actually picked it up.
It was a quick and easy read. I enjoy a book that (mostly) wraps everything in a neat bow to finish.
I actually didn't know about the Bali bombings in 2002 and was shocked to see how many Australian's died. I appreciate the book incorporating some history which led to me exploring it more.
It was a quick and easy read. I enjoy a book that (mostly) wraps everything in a neat bow to finish.
I actually didn't know about the Bali bombings in 2002 and was shocked to see how many Australian's died. I appreciate the book incorporating some history which led to me exploring it more.
attytheresa's review against another edition
4.0
A moving story about 2 people who meet during a terrorist attack in Bali in 2002, she injured, he one who rushes to help the injured. The story opens a year later with Jamie, the young woman injured in the attack, returning to Bali for a special commemoration, and perhaps to find Gabe again, the man who saved her. Jamie is reluctant, fearful, eager, compelled. The past year has not been easy.
Ultimately we flash back to the year before, living through the events mostly from Gabe's eyes. Gabe has been living -even hiding- in Bali mourning his son's death and the end of his marriage and life as a result.
By saving Jamie, it soon becomes clear that she saves him, starts living again. Yet the time is not right for Jamie.
The story ends after the commemoration ceremony in Bali a year later, with healing and the promise of a mutual life together, in Bali, one hinting to relationships not just based on having experienced something horrific together, but on deep emotion and connection.
It brings to mind another novel about those surviving terrorism and the aftermath: 'Bel Canto' by Ann Patchett.
Ultimately we flash back to the year before, living through the events mostly from Gabe's eyes. Gabe has been living -even hiding- in Bali mourning his son's death and the end of his marriage and life as a result.
By saving Jamie, it soon becomes clear that she saves him, starts living again. Yet the time is not right for Jamie.
The story ends after the commemoration ceremony in Bali a year later, with healing and the promise of a mutual life together, in Bali, one hinting to relationships not just based on having experienced something horrific together, but on deep emotion and connection.
It brings to mind another novel about those surviving terrorism and the aftermath: 'Bel Canto' by Ann Patchett.
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure how to describe this book exactly: it's a beach-y romance at heart (literally featuring Bali's gorgeous beaches) featuring a hero and heroine damaged by loss and pain, set during and immediately after the October 12, 2002 terrorist bombings in Bali. I described this to a friend like chick lit for those who know a little about current events; it's emotional and weighty, but not crushingly so, punctuated with some sweet levity.
The novel opens a year after the bombings, but flashes back to those days in 2002 just before and after the bombing. Hero and heroine are thrown together under the gruesomest of circumstances, two people injured long before getting wounded in Bali.
Our heroine, Jamie, a 30ish American, is an adventure guide for a Berkeley company, and she pursues her highs -- sex, adrenalin, fun -- relentlessly. Three days into her trip in Bali, she walks into a club just moments before the first bomb goes off and is seriously injured. Our hero, Gabe, is a 40ish American, an ex-pat teaching at a Balinese school who fled the US after a personal tragedy. Gabe is having dinner with a friend when the bombs go off; he stumbles over Jamie and pulls her to safety. In the resulting tumult, Gabe cares for Jamie until her emergency flight to the U.S. and out of that develops something sweet, sad, and confusing.
Although this is a story of ex-pats, Sussman doesn't ignore the Balinese victims and survivors, and in fact, articulates some of the anger and rage felt by Balinese when the (white) foreign tourists received priority medical treatment over native Balinese. I was grateful for that awareness and balance.
I confess I teared up constantly while reading this book. It's not cloyingly sad or agonizingly miserable; Sussman conveys huge emotions neatly and carefully, respectfully. As with Sussman's other book, French Lessons, I wasn't sure how she would tie things up in the end, but what results is refreshingly real.
The jacket blurb says this is for readers who liked Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love and Alex Garland’s The Beach. I suppose it has the redemption and love found in Eat, Pray, Love but other than ex-pats and ocean, I don't see the comparison to The Beach. If you like movies in the vein of Beyond Rangoon and The Impossible, you'll like this book, I think.
The novel opens a year after the bombings, but flashes back to those days in 2002 just before and after the bombing. Hero and heroine are thrown together under the gruesomest of circumstances, two people injured long before getting wounded in Bali.
Our heroine, Jamie, a 30ish American, is an adventure guide for a Berkeley company, and she pursues her highs -- sex, adrenalin, fun -- relentlessly. Three days into her trip in Bali, she walks into a club just moments before the first bomb goes off and is seriously injured. Our hero, Gabe, is a 40ish American, an ex-pat teaching at a Balinese school who fled the US after a personal tragedy. Gabe is having dinner with a friend when the bombs go off; he stumbles over Jamie and pulls her to safety. In the resulting tumult, Gabe cares for Jamie until her emergency flight to the U.S. and out of that develops something sweet, sad, and confusing.
Although this is a story of ex-pats, Sussman doesn't ignore the Balinese victims and survivors, and in fact, articulates some of the anger and rage felt by Balinese when the (white) foreign tourists received priority medical treatment over native Balinese. I was grateful for that awareness and balance.
I confess I teared up constantly while reading this book. It's not cloyingly sad or agonizingly miserable; Sussman conveys huge emotions neatly and carefully, respectfully. As with Sussman's other book, French Lessons, I wasn't sure how she would tie things up in the end, but what results is refreshingly real.
The jacket blurb says this is for readers who liked Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love and Alex Garland’s The Beach. I suppose it has the redemption and love found in Eat, Pray, Love but other than ex-pats and ocean, I don't see the comparison to The Beach. If you like movies in the vein of Beyond Rangoon and The Impossible, you'll like this book, I think.
mholles's review against another edition
3.0
Jamie is an American adventure tour guide. On a scouting trip to Bali she is in a bar that is bombed by terrorists and her boyfriend dies. Gabe is an ex-pat who helps her rescue people in the building and rescues her after she is injured. A year later, Jamie is back for a memorial. She stays at the Paradise Guest House whose owner lost his wife and unborn child in the bombing. And there is a young street boy with a dog who helps Jamie track down Gabe to see if there is osmething between them. The bombing scenes were very realistic. Jamies, the boy, and the house oenwer were all likeable characters.
whatshotblog's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Thought this would be similar to Eat, Pray, Love but turned out to be romance that lacked substance, wrapped around a real-life tragedy in Bali.
However, I did quite enjoy the depiction of Bali and Balinese culture. Since this was why I picked up the book, it wasn’t a complete waste of time.
Find more book recommendations and book content on whatshotblog.com and @whatshotblog.
However, I did quite enjoy the depiction of Bali and Balinese culture. Since this was why I picked up the book, it wasn’t a complete waste of time.
Find more book recommendations and book content on whatshotblog.com and @whatshotblog.