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Beauty Rising (2013)

by Mark W. Sasse(Favorite Author)
3.78 of 5 Votes: 1
ISBN
1481211285 (ISBN13: 9781481211284)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Createspace
review 1: I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.The book was slow to start with, but once I got past maybe two chapter's, I couldn't put the book down. The story was captivating and even though the story didn't stay with the same character through the whole book, the story still flowed in a logical way that you could easily follow. The ending was cruel but is consistent with the whole story, such is life.Great read, thank-you Mark for the signed copy.
review 2: I feel like I am at a loss for words to fully express my sentiments regarding this incredible novel. Perhaps, it is best to refer to "Beauty Rising" as a personal journey or remarkable experience rather than merely reading a fictional novel.This debut novel by gifted Author Mark W. Sasse is be
... moreyond words. It is a positively poignant presentation of the tragic lives of two very different individuals...how and why their paths crossed, and the destiny that ensued between them following this initial encounter. This memorable event takes place in Vietnam when a naive, somewhat overweight, red-haired man, Martin Kinney Jr., decides to honor the deathbed wishes of his poor excuse for a father. His father has been abusive toward him his entire life...yet Martin, the devoted son, agrees to take his cremated remains to be buried in Vietnam as requested.At 36 six years old, Martin still lives at home in one of the most dysfunctional families imaginable...a dysfunction which has its source at the bottom of many untold secrets. As some of these unfold, Martin begins to get a better understanding of his desire and determination to honor his father's last wishes. He does so without his mother's blessings. Nonetheless, and after a barrage of verbal abuse spewed upon him, he pretty well uses the majority of his life's savings to make this unprecedented trip. Upon his arrival and during a busy Vietnamese Festival, Martin's wallet is expertly pinched from his back pocket by none other than a young beautiful woman very similar to the one described to him by his dying father. Unknown to him at the time, her name is My Phoung. For one reason or another, My Phoung hangs onto Martin's driver's license and keeps it as a good luck charm on her key chain. Martin, who is now stranded, is showered with kindness by his Vietnamese cab driver Tan, and Tan's American friend Jason. After three days, he returns home to his mundane life which, in the not too distant future, is about to take an unexpected turn. The reader is also taken on My Phuong's incredible journey and gets an inside view of her past, present, and ominous future. I could not read fast enough as I became so entranced with every detail of her story."Beauty Rising" has touched me at such a deep level. It is an absolutely heartwrenching story that took my breath away. Author Mark Sasse has a wonderful gift. He has the ability to draw the reader right into the skin and essence of the characters he so richly describes. I not only felt their anguish, sorrow, love and joy, I also became a part of their personal journies and experienced their plight every step of the way. I would like to say "thank you" to this author for sharing his gift. This reading journey is an incredible experience and not one I am soon to forget! Memorable...and exquisite!! less
Reviews (see all)
Finalfire
Oh a book involving my country! So excited to read, hope I'll win it. Cảm ơn rất nhiều ^^
Devin
Good story. The twist at the end felt a little forced. But very engaging nonetheless.
Jenn
Sad but sweet. A nice story and fairly well written.
Amal
It was good book. Ending was surprising me.
zerocool373
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