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Book Review: Cross Currents by John Shors

September 6, 2011 by Darlene


Cross Currents by John Shors releases today and it is fantastic! I’ve loved all of John’s books but I have to say that after reading Cross Currents, it is my favorite. This novel grabbed not only my attention but my heart and to me that makes a great book and a great author! As with all of John’s books he takes us away to a different place and this time it is Ko Phi Phi, a beautiful tropical island off the coast of Thailand. The novel takes place over an 11 day period working towards the tsunami that hit Thailand in December of 2004 and it really shows us the strength of the human spirit before and after the tsunami.

Cross Currents opens at the Rainbow Resort with owners Lek and Sarai. They have three children and Sarai’s mother lives with them as well. They struggle to make ends meet and depend on tourists coming to their resort to survive. Months ago a stranger named Patch had arrived and he’s been with them ever since helping out at the resort fixing things which has been great since Lek had hurt his hip in an accident. The family has come to care about him and the feelings are reciprocated.

Patch arrived on Ko Phi Phi because of a mistake he made and is now in trouble with the law. He’s been hiding out at the Rainbow Resort trying to figure out a way to get back to America but his brother Ryan who arrives with his girlfriend Brooke wants him to turn himself in. Trouble arises between the brothers not only because of their disagreement over Patch turning himself in but also because of Brooke – it seems that she and Ryan have issues and she finds herself attracted to Patch and the feeling is mutual. Could this be the one thing that will destroy the strong bond between these brothers?

The majority of the novel really opens our eyes to the way that people like Lek and Sarai live on these small islands like Ko Phi Phi. Their days consist of working hard to keep the bungalows clean and ready for tourists, cooking, cleaning, and the biggest thing is getting those tourists to your resort as there are so many other resorts competing for their attention. Even the children are not exempt and since their English is the best it usually falls to them to really lure the tourists in. Yes the island is beautiful and idyllic and the family loves to live there and do what they’re doing but it’s also a struggle and with the tsunami, it made that struggle even harder for the people who made their homes there.

I loved the characters in this book – all of them. Lek and Sarai are such hard working people who only want to make a better life for their children. Patch is a good man who finds himself really caring for this family to the point where he would sacrifice himself for their well-being. John Shors has a way of drawing emotions from a person with just his words and he makes us care so much for these people. When the tsunami hits you feel like you are picked up and thrown into the turmoil with this family that you have come to care about. You live through their terror and feel their fear. You’re left hoping that they will all survive and be able to rebuild their lives.

As with all of John’s novels, his descriptions of the locations he takes us away to are amazing. He really makes you feel as though you’ve arrived on this island yourself and that you’re experiencing all the sights, sounds and smells that it has to offer. The novel also brings us to the realization that life can change in an instant. All that you knew can be swept away and you are left in complete and utter devastation. While John could have written this novel more from the perspective of the tsunami, I’m really glad he didn’t. He focused instead on the deep relationships between people that, in the event of a disaster like the tsunami, brings those individuals together with a fierce determination to help and care for each other no matter what.

Cross Currents is an emotional and powerful novel and one I would recommend in an instant! Yes there is tragedy in our world but there is also hope and love that pulls people together in the face of these disasters and enables them to move forward and survive. Cross Currents is most definitely on my list of favorite books for 2011!

You can purchase your own copy of Cross Currents by John Shors here in the US and here in Canada. You can also pop over to the guest post that John shared with us yesterday and enter to win one of two copies there!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of Cross Currents by John Shors was received for review from the author.

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Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea says

    September 6, 2011 at 10:30 am

    This sounds really good Dar. I haven't started my copy yet, but hope to next month. Nice review.

  2. Zibilee says

    September 6, 2011 at 10:43 am

    It sounds excellent, and I have enjoyed other books by Shors as well. I think this subject is really difficult to write about, but it seems like he does it with grace, compassion and a lot of heart. Great review on this one, Dar!

  3. Sandy says

    September 6, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    I hang my head in shame that I have yet to read his books, but he has been so generous in donating signed books to my Adult Literacy League event. Plus I love that he always donates proceeds to good causes. For that reason alone, I need to read him.

  4. bermudaonion says

    September 6, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    It sounds like this book serves as a reminder at just how tenuous life can be. Your review is excellent and has piqued my interest in the book.

  5. TheBookGirl says

    September 6, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Wonderful review Darlene 🙂
    I'm glad that you had such an engaging book to read right now.

  6. bookworm says

    September 6, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    This one does sound good, glad you enjoyed it.

  7. Nise' says

    September 6, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    Sounds like I need to read John Shors books! There are so many authors out there that I have not tried.

  8. Blodeuedd says

    September 6, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    I love the cover, so pretty and still simple 🙂
    The book sounds good too

  9. Staci says

    September 6, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    I loved your other review of one of his books and wanted to try this author after that. Now with this awesome review…I MUST read this author!!!

  10. Serena says

    September 7, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    I held off reading your review until I finished the book. I agree wholeheartedly and hope others will nominate it for the lit fic category of the Indie Lit Awards like I did. AWESOME book. my review is up today.

  11. Serena says

    September 7, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    I forgot to mention this book made me cry

  12. Anna says

    September 7, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    I'm going to have to read something by this author because I've heard nothing but good things about his work. Glad you enjoyed this one so much.

  13. Kailana says

    September 7, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    I really want to read this author at some point!

  14. Beth(bookaholicmom) says

    September 8, 2011 at 12:19 am

    I really keep meaning to read John Shors. Everyone always speaks so highly of his books. This book seems to have an important message in it. Life can and often does change on a dime. It's good to cherish every day because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

  15. Marce says

    September 8, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Favourite of the year wow, and that cover is dreamy. I have Wishing Trees on my TBR from your recommendation.

  16. samantha.1020 says

    September 9, 2011 at 1:03 am

    This sounds like an excellent read! I hadn't heard of this author before but it sounds like I should check him out. Great review!

  17. caite says

    September 9, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    sounds interesting…and I adore that cover.

  18. Jenny Girl says

    September 14, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    I just love the cover and your review cinches the deal for me. I will definitely read this one! Thanks Darlene 🙂

  19. Ti says

    September 19, 2011 at 10:34 am

    I was offered this one to review but I wanted to read your take on it first. Glad you enjoyed it.

    Also, I read in another post that you’ve been having a rough week. I sure hope this week is better for you. I have those weeks myself.

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