Publishers Weekly
- Publisher's Weekly
Building from an amusing satirical premise, Ong's quintessentially of-the-moment debut expands into a scathing commentary on life in contemporary New York. Gay Filipino hustler William Paulinha stops turning tricks in the Port Authority Men's Room after he meets Shem C, a failed writer who wants revenge on the Manhattan upper crust who have spurned him. Under Shem's plan, William pretends to be Feng Shui expert Master Chao and preys on Shem's unsuspecting victims by demanding royal payment for the marvelously nonsensical advice he gives to perpetually disenchanted wealthy homeowners. Inevitably, he is found out. Written with acidic wit, Ong's novel is sharp and savvy, smashing sacred cows casually but forcefully. When William is verbally assaulted by a client who has discovered the scheme, he responds in kind, asking a moneyed but miserable homeowner, "Did you think that Feng Shui could repair your ugly soul?" The narrative paints painfully contrasting pictures of privileged society and New York's underbelly, of which Ong offers an invigoratingly clearheaded view, as William encounters numerous loners in his forays into their seedy milieu. Ong also brings the Asian perspective into his work with considerable subtlety. Although William frequently feels watched and suspected, he does not allow racial prejudice to hinder him as he moves through the Caucasian world; Ong seems most concerned that his readers awaken to the world's hypocrisy. 3-city author tour. (Apr.) Forecast: MacArthur Fellowship winner Ong's stage plays, Dark Bakersfield and Middle Finger, have already earned him an audience among young people on the scene. This hip, unsparing tale has word-of-mouth potential. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
Recently, feng shui the Chinese art of arranging a living space in such a way that good fortune is induced as a result has begun to infiltrate American public consciousness. It was only a matter of time before the concept appeared somewhere in our literature. Fortunately for us, playwright Ong puts feng shui to good use in this superb and scathingly satirical first novel that paints a fiercely condemning portrait of a shallow and overprivileged upper class. Set in the always class-stratified Manhattan, this novel tells of William Narcisco Paulinha, a Filipino male prostitute who is offered the opportunity to escape his wretched existence by Shem C, a writer bent on revenge owing to his lack of success. At Shem's insistence, William assumes the role of Master Chao, a feng shui expert, and the two begin to rob New York's superwealthy of both their money and their well-being by "fixing" their homes. As William moves through the class spectrum of Manhattan, he offers sardonic and keen observations about social, racial, and cultural distinctions and privileges. Ong's strong writing keeps the plot moving at a good pace, and his abilities as a playwright serve him well in rendering excellent dialog. Highly recommended. Heath Madom, "Library Journal" Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
