Synopses & Reviews
A sweeping epic story of heart-wrenching love and wartime adventure, Empress of Asia introduces a stunning young talent hailed as the next great Canadian writer The year is 1942, and the world is engulfed by war. Young Canadian seaman Harry Winslow has just arrived in Singapore after the bombing of his ship, the Empress of Asia. One night in the ravaged city, Harry meets and falls madly in love with a vivacious young Englishwoman named Lily. After a hasty marriage, they are separated during the confusion of an air raid. Harry begins a desperate search for Lily across the Dutch East Indies, enduring hunger, illness, and unimaginable cruelty before finally being reunited with his wife. Many years later, in Canada, Harry sits at Lily's bedside. In her dying moments, Lily reveals an astonishing secret: She gives him the address of Michel Ney, a man who saved Harry's life before being killed by the Japanese during the war--or so Harry had always believed. Can Lily be in contact with a man she never met, and why does she insist on Harry's reunion with him now? Fifty years later after the wartime events that changed his life forever, Harry travels to Thailand to begin the final adventure of his life--to retrace the journey of his Empress of Asia and to uncover the mystery that lies at the heart of the love of his life. A powerful story peopled with unforgettable characters, Empress of Asia is a stirring chronicle of love and loss, of loyalty and betrayal, amidst the turbulence of war.
Review
"Compelling, heartbreaking, and witty...will stay with you long after you've put it down."- The Globe and Mail, Best Books of the Year "A well wrought-tribute to lives torn apart by war."- Publishers Weekly "Adam Lewis Schroeder is a talented writer with a promising future ahead of him."- The Vancouver Sun "Terrific...vividly present. The text sparkles and crackles with places and people."- Books in Canada "An accomplished and textured tale that is both memorable and rewarding."- The Georgia Straight "Schroeder has a deft hand at recounting Harry's emotional and psychological journey."- Booklist
About the Author
Adam Lewis Schroeder grew up on an apple orchard in Vernon, British Columbia, and has since traveled widely, publishing stories in more than a dozen journals and anthologies. His story collection Kingdom of Monkeys was shortlisted for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, and Empress of Asia was a finalist for both the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the Amazon.ca / Books in Canada First Novel Award. Adam lives with his wife and sons in Penticton, British Columbia. Visit his Web site at www.adamlewisschroeder.com.