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Cross Currents
Thailand's pristine Ko Phi Phi island attracts tourists from around the world. There, struggling to make ends meet, small-resort owners Lek and Sarai are happy to give an American named Patch room and board in exchange for his help. But when Patch's brother, Ryan, arrives, accompanied by his girlfriend, Brooke, Lek learns that Patch is running from the law, and his presence puts Lek's family at risk. Meanwhile, Brooke begins to doubt her love for Ryan while her feelings for Patch blossom. In a landscape where nature's bounty seems endless, these two families are swept up in an approaching cataclysm that will require all their strength of heart and soul to survive...
322 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2011
13 people are currently reading
927 people want to read
About the author
John Shors
15 books646 followersHi, everyone. I hope this message finds people well.
I'm the bestselling author of The Demon Seekers trilogy, My Midnight Sun, Unbound, Beneath a Marble Sky, Temple of a Thousand Faces, Cross Currents, Beside a Burning Sea, Dragon House, and The Wishing Trees. My novels have won multiple awards and have been translated into twenty six languages. I have also spoken (via speakerphone) with more than 3,000 book clubs around the world.
For more information on my work, please visit www.johnshors.com or friend me on Facebook or Instagram.
Thank you for your support!
- John
I'm the bestselling author of The Demon Seekers trilogy, My Midnight Sun, Unbound, Beneath a Marble Sky, Temple of a Thousand Faces, Cross Currents, Beside a Burning Sea, Dragon House, and The Wishing Trees. My novels have won multiple awards and have been translated into twenty six languages. I have also spoken (via speakerphone) with more than 3,000 book clubs around the world.
For more information on my work, please visit www.johnshors.com or friend me on Facebook or Instagram.
Thank you for your support!
- John
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 126 reviews
May 27, 2011
Full disclosure here: I'm the author...
Cross Currents is a novel that I take great pride in. Here is a summary:
On December 26, 2004, one of the largest earthquakes in human history occurred off the coast of Indonesia, creating a series of massive tsunamis that struck countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Waves varied in height, some reaching almost one hundred feet tall. It is estimated that 230,000 people, representing forty nationalities, died in the catastrophe.
Ko Phi Phi is a beautiful, butterfly-shaped island off the coast of Thailand—an island that has long been a prized destination for tourists. The center of Ko Phi Phi, where people live and work, is about six feet above sea level.
Two waves struck Ko Phi Phi—each from an opposite side of the island. One wave was ten feet high, the other eighteen. The waves met in the middle of the island, pulling restaurants, hotels, schools, and people out to sea. Approximately one-third of Ko Phi Phi’s ten thousand residents and visitors died.
Yet, miraculously, thousands of Thais and tourists lived.
Cross Currents is inspired by my multiple trips to Ko Phi Phi, before and after the tsunami. It’s a fictionalized account of this calamity—of what happened, and of the tragedies and triumphs of that day.
Some early praise for Cross Currents:
“A maelstrom of riveting action… I loved this book.” — Karl Marlantes, New York Times bestselling author of Matterhorn
“A supremely readable tale.” — Joan Silber, bestselling author of The Size of the World
Cross Currents is a novel that I take great pride in. Here is a summary:
On December 26, 2004, one of the largest earthquakes in human history occurred off the coast of Indonesia, creating a series of massive tsunamis that struck countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Waves varied in height, some reaching almost one hundred feet tall. It is estimated that 230,000 people, representing forty nationalities, died in the catastrophe.
Ko Phi Phi is a beautiful, butterfly-shaped island off the coast of Thailand—an island that has long been a prized destination for tourists. The center of Ko Phi Phi, where people live and work, is about six feet above sea level.
Two waves struck Ko Phi Phi—each from an opposite side of the island. One wave was ten feet high, the other eighteen. The waves met in the middle of the island, pulling restaurants, hotels, schools, and people out to sea. Approximately one-third of Ko Phi Phi’s ten thousand residents and visitors died.
Yet, miraculously, thousands of Thais and tourists lived.
Cross Currents is inspired by my multiple trips to Ko Phi Phi, before and after the tsunami. It’s a fictionalized account of this calamity—of what happened, and of the tragedies and triumphs of that day.
Some early praise for Cross Currents:
“A maelstrom of riveting action… I loved this book.” — Karl Marlantes, New York Times bestselling author of Matterhorn
“A supremely readable tale.” — Joan Silber, bestselling author of The Size of the World
November 11, 2011
It’s really hard to review a book that turned out not to be the book you thought you were reading. I knew that this novel was about Ko Phi Phi, an island that was decimated in the 2004 Indonesian tsunami. It’s part of the blurb and part of the author’s introduction. So, I kept waiting for that darned wave. Unlike the characters, I knew it was coming. About halfway through, I looked up the date that the tsunami occurred so I would know how close it was. I grew quite impatient for the devastation. I finished reading it as I was getting my hair colored and my stylist asked me about it. I described it and showed her the page where the tsunami actual occurred. She exclaimed that it was just like the movie “Titanic”. She said her husband spent the whole movie wondering when the ship was going to sink. I have to say that she is absolutely correct in the comparison. Like “Titanic”, this book is about creating characters that really grab you and make you care. It sets a stage that makes you feel like you’re there and that you don’t want to see destroyed. You know there’s going to be a tsunami. You know that people will die. The question becomes who and how. It also has romance like “Titanic” did.
“Cross Currents” is a beautifully written novel. It wasn’t the novel I expected, but it was still evocative and satisfying.
I won this book through FirstReads.
“Cross Currents” is a beautifully written novel. It wasn’t the novel I expected, but it was still evocative and satisfying.
I won this book through FirstReads.
November 10, 2011
First thoughts when I finished this magnificent novel: "I'm a damn emotional wreck!"
I have to say that I'm blown away by Shors writing. I could kick myself for waiting so long to experience his talent but now that I have, I will be reading all of his books. I'm amazed at how he was able to lull me into this sense of peace and beauty. I could imagine myself on the beach in Ko Phi Phi. I could smell the wonderful food that Sarai made for her guests and family. I could hear the children's laughter and the gentle ribbing that Sarai's mother would do to her on a daily basis. Shors made me care about each and every person that he created. I loved Patch and felt myself drawn to this gentle soul. I could also understand Patch's brother, Ryan. Being a first-born myself, I have always felt the pressure to be the perfect child, and of course, my brother's protector. So page after page, I was drawn deeper and deeper into these character's lives and then I knew that the inevitable was going to happen because I'd come to that chapter. The one that would unleash the terror of that horrible day (Tsunami in Thailand)...but I had to read on and experience their disbelief, shock, hurt, and sacrifice.
Recommend? With no hesitations whatsoever. This book made me experience so many emotions...I can't begin to tell you or adequately express how I felt while reading this book. All I can say is that I broke down and cried as if my heart had been broken. I cried for these characters and for the real people that had to go through that day of hell. If you've never read John Shors this is a great place to start. His words convey emotions, pictures, and so much more....I'm in love with his storytelling.
I have to say that I'm blown away by Shors writing. I could kick myself for waiting so long to experience his talent but now that I have, I will be reading all of his books. I'm amazed at how he was able to lull me into this sense of peace and beauty. I could imagine myself on the beach in Ko Phi Phi. I could smell the wonderful food that Sarai made for her guests and family. I could hear the children's laughter and the gentle ribbing that Sarai's mother would do to her on a daily basis. Shors made me care about each and every person that he created. I loved Patch and felt myself drawn to this gentle soul. I could also understand Patch's brother, Ryan. Being a first-born myself, I have always felt the pressure to be the perfect child, and of course, my brother's protector. So page after page, I was drawn deeper and deeper into these character's lives and then I knew that the inevitable was going to happen because I'd come to that chapter. The one that would unleash the terror of that horrible day (Tsunami in Thailand)...but I had to read on and experience their disbelief, shock, hurt, and sacrifice.
Recommend? With no hesitations whatsoever. This book made me experience so many emotions...I can't begin to tell you or adequately express how I felt while reading this book. All I can say is that I broke down and cried as if my heart had been broken. I cried for these characters and for the real people that had to go through that day of hell. If you've never read John Shors this is a great place to start. His words convey emotions, pictures, and so much more....I'm in love with his storytelling.
March 27, 2012
Lek and Sarai try to make ends meet, managing a small resort in Thailand's Ko Phi Phi island, but money is short, their buildings and surroundings need maintenance, and their children need to be put through school. In addition, one of their tenants, an American man named Patch, has already been staying at their resort for much longer than is allowed on a normal visa, making Sarai nervous. Patch, however, is trying to stay low after attacking a cop who had busted him when he was buying marijuana. His do-the-right-thing brother, Ryan is on his way to the island to convince Patch to turn himself to the authorities. Ryan, on the other hand, is having difficulties with his girlfriend, Brooke, who has also accompanied him to the island. While the individual characters battle out their personal problems, the readers (we) know that they are running on a timer - the 2004 tsunami is just round the corner.
As a personal policy, I never read books set against a recent catastrophe, like the Katrina hurricane, or the 9/11 or even school shootings, unless it is nonfiction or my memory of the event is vague at best. I find it difficult to get over the feeling that the tragic event is being exploited (it probably is not being, it's just too fresh in my mind to make me feel otherwise). But when John Shors offered me his book Cross Currents, I had to bend my own rule for two reasons - one, the tsunami wasn't the major player of the book. In fact, it could have been any tragedy, but the idea behind the story - how you go by your life and its issues and one day you wake up to see everything gone just like that, was very powerful. And second, the day the tsunami happened, I was sitting with my family on a beach in Chennai, where the water came up to half the beach and we were standing there absolutely riveted! Thank goodness there was no major damage!
Cross Currents started out wonderful. I read it first, sometime last year, but didn't get past the first few pages because I wasn't getting the time to read it. And then, I learned that it was nominated for the Indie Lit Awards. So I decided to wait until it was time to start reading the nominations. However, past that beautiful start, I couldn't find much that held me hooked to the book. I pretty much hate saying that because I had a lot of expectations out of this book, but it just didn't work for me.
None of the characters intrigued me. A few were likable, but I didn't feel like rooting for anyone. Ryan bugged me because of how dominating and stubborn he was, but when he began to get attracted to another woman in the second half of the book, and still expected his 'girlfriend' Brooke to be committed to him, I just about got annoyed with him. The other characters felt too do-goody to me to feel strongly about them.
The narrative didn't score too high with me either. Parts of it slogged for me, and I was anxious to get past that to see what would happen next. I also wasn't too impressed with how many times the characters kept mentioning about 'a good future', or '10 more days' or 'a few more weeks', but then I guess my knowledge of what was coming biased me against that. For me the main draw of the book was the fickleness of life. How you can sit and make plans to do a ton of things, and it only takes an instant for all that to be thrashed to rubble. How you can decorate and redecorate your house, and a tornado whips it to shards. How you can make plans to meet a long lost friend, and an accident makes that an impossibility. All through my reading of this book, that thought was heavily present, and it was very humbling to acknowledge it. With that in mind, I wished things didn't tie up so nicely in the end, because I would never have expected loose ends to get sorted out. But I guess, for closure, it has to be allowed.
Still, this was a really fast-paced book - the plot moved quickly too, and Shors' descriptive writing made me want to visit Thailand. The description of the deadly waves was also spot-on and vivid. I would have liked to see what happened next in the aftermath, but I appreciated the ending enough to formulate my own what-next and acknowledge the message of the book. I know I wasn't too moved by this book, but I definitely thought it was insightful and thought-provoking.
As a personal policy, I never read books set against a recent catastrophe, like the Katrina hurricane, or the 9/11 or even school shootings, unless it is nonfiction or my memory of the event is vague at best. I find it difficult to get over the feeling that the tragic event is being exploited (it probably is not being, it's just too fresh in my mind to make me feel otherwise). But when John Shors offered me his book Cross Currents, I had to bend my own rule for two reasons - one, the tsunami wasn't the major player of the book. In fact, it could have been any tragedy, but the idea behind the story - how you go by your life and its issues and one day you wake up to see everything gone just like that, was very powerful. And second, the day the tsunami happened, I was sitting with my family on a beach in Chennai, where the water came up to half the beach and we were standing there absolutely riveted! Thank goodness there was no major damage!
Cross Currents started out wonderful. I read it first, sometime last year, but didn't get past the first few pages because I wasn't getting the time to read it. And then, I learned that it was nominated for the Indie Lit Awards. So I decided to wait until it was time to start reading the nominations. However, past that beautiful start, I couldn't find much that held me hooked to the book. I pretty much hate saying that because I had a lot of expectations out of this book, but it just didn't work for me.
None of the characters intrigued me. A few were likable, but I didn't feel like rooting for anyone. Ryan bugged me because of how dominating and stubborn he was, but when he began to get attracted to another woman in the second half of the book, and still expected his 'girlfriend' Brooke to be committed to him, I just about got annoyed with him. The other characters felt too do-goody to me to feel strongly about them.
The narrative didn't score too high with me either. Parts of it slogged for me, and I was anxious to get past that to see what would happen next. I also wasn't too impressed with how many times the characters kept mentioning about 'a good future', or '10 more days' or 'a few more weeks', but then I guess my knowledge of what was coming biased me against that. For me the main draw of the book was the fickleness of life. How you can sit and make plans to do a ton of things, and it only takes an instant for all that to be thrashed to rubble. How you can decorate and redecorate your house, and a tornado whips it to shards. How you can make plans to meet a long lost friend, and an accident makes that an impossibility. All through my reading of this book, that thought was heavily present, and it was very humbling to acknowledge it. With that in mind, I wished things didn't tie up so nicely in the end, because I would never have expected loose ends to get sorted out. But I guess, for closure, it has to be allowed.
Still, this was a really fast-paced book - the plot moved quickly too, and Shors' descriptive writing made me want to visit Thailand. The description of the deadly waves was also spot-on and vivid. I would have liked to see what happened next in the aftermath, but I appreciated the ending enough to formulate my own what-next and acknowledge the message of the book. I know I wasn't too moved by this book, but I definitely thought it was insightful and thought-provoking.
November 3, 2011
Reviewed By- JoAnne
Copy Provided By- Author's Publicist
This was a wonderful novel about family, survival and love. The main characters were a family of 5 plus their grandmother from Ko Phi Phi island in Thailand and two American brothers. Shors did a masterful job of showing us the interactions between family members in their own family as well as between the two families. The vivid descriptions of the island, boats, restaurant, bungalows, the beach and the pier made you able to visualize the words and made you feel as if you were there - to see the sights, smell the sea and the foods, feel the heat along with the coolness of the water. There was love shown between the family members and the important role each one played in the family dynamics was explored. The devastation caused by the tsunami was made real in Shors telling and the ending itself was unexpected and caused many tears even though more happy endings than I expected were reported. The story flowed effortlessly and the richness in the telling was unexpected. I have not read other books written by Shors but they will be added to my to be read pile. I just hope the others are as well written as Cross Currents.
Favorite Quote: "...As the sun approached the horizon, its light changed colors, as if it were penetrating stained glass at an ancient cathedral, illuminating the island and sea in scarlet and amber. The sun's descent was slow and peaceful, as were the sounds of dusk - the beeps of tree frogs mingling with the distant drone of longboat engines."
Copy Provided By- Author's Publicist
This was a wonderful novel about family, survival and love. The main characters were a family of 5 plus their grandmother from Ko Phi Phi island in Thailand and two American brothers. Shors did a masterful job of showing us the interactions between family members in their own family as well as between the two families. The vivid descriptions of the island, boats, restaurant, bungalows, the beach and the pier made you able to visualize the words and made you feel as if you were there - to see the sights, smell the sea and the foods, feel the heat along with the coolness of the water. There was love shown between the family members and the important role each one played in the family dynamics was explored. The devastation caused by the tsunami was made real in Shors telling and the ending itself was unexpected and caused many tears even though more happy endings than I expected were reported. The story flowed effortlessly and the richness in the telling was unexpected. I have not read other books written by Shors but they will be added to my to be read pile. I just hope the others are as well written as Cross Currents.
Favorite Quote: "...As the sun approached the horizon, its light changed colors, as if it were penetrating stained glass at an ancient cathedral, illuminating the island and sea in scarlet and amber. The sun's descent was slow and peaceful, as were the sounds of dusk - the beeps of tree frogs mingling with the distant drone of longboat engines."
November 9, 2011
I don't read as much as I used to (children, work, etc.) so when I buy a book, I expect a lot out of it. A friend had recommended Cross Currents to me, and because I wasn't familar with the author's work, I picked up the book with some reluctance. The cover definitely caught my eye. Though it took me maybe 15 pages to get into the book, I was hooked fairly quickly. Cross Currents is a beautiful story set in a beautiful place. The novel takes place in Thailand and revolves around two families (really three young Americans and a multi-generational Thai family). Both sets of characters deal with the ups and downs of life in the early chapters of Cross Currents. Tension, conflict, and love blooms in paradise. Some foreshadowing occurs in the novel, and the reader knows that something bad is going to happen (in this case, as the inside cover indicates, it's the tsunami of 2004). By the time the wave comes, the reader has fallen in love with the characters, and the book becomes impossible to put down. I was up until 2 a.m. last night reading Cross Currents. I just adored it, and will read more of the author's books.
August 21, 2011
A mesmerizing, poignant, life affirming read! CROSS CURRENTS will leave you with a thankfulness for your life and an awareness of the global tragedies that can pound us without warning. To one day be leading an idyllic and carefree life then to be thrown into a maelstrom of tragedy the next is a reminder to us all just how precious life is. Just how precarious our situations can be. Never take anything for granted because that very thing could disappear in the blink of an eye. Be thankful people, oh so very thankful for what you have in life because the uncertainty of the unknown lurks just beyond your periphery vision. To have it all one minute and lose it all the next is a reminder to live today like it was your last because tonight or tomorrow may just be that - your last!
John Shors has penned a beautiful story of family, love, and the tragedy that befalls not only this family but millions of others. A chilling reality check for us all, don't miss this one!
(Preview copy courtesy of John Shors)
John Shors has penned a beautiful story of family, love, and the tragedy that befalls not only this family but millions of others. A chilling reality check for us all, don't miss this one!
(Preview copy courtesy of John Shors)
November 23, 2011
Lyrical writing paints a beautiful picture of both relationships and location in this wonderful novel. Each time I picked up the book I could feel the warmth of the beach, smell the ocean scent. The love stories portrayed throughout the novel buoyed my spirits. Family love, romantic love, devotion to others were all depicted in a way which made me that much more grateful for the loves I have in my life. "Cross Currents" is a novel that took me away from the here & now and left me with a sense of warmth and hope. With such descriptive writing, a magnificent setting, and characters who find a place in your heart, this is a book that'll have you curled up on the couch, forgetting all you should be doing in favor of savoring this story.
June 14, 2011
As a book critic, I am sent many novels, some of which I read and enjoy, but do not have the space to review. Cross Currents is such a novel. I adored this story, which is set in Ko Phi Phi, Thailand, and involves a variety of characters--young and old, Thai and American, male and female. As the story progressed I felt increasingly connected with these characters, and by the time the wave hit, I was reading late into the night and stayed up until I finished. This is rare novel--both lyrical and compelling. I suspect to see it on bestseller lists and regret that I couldn't give it a proper review.
September 1, 2019
So well written, became immersed in the characters and storyline, kept forgetting that the tsunami was coming. The author captures the spirit and gentleness of the Thai people beautifully, really good book although you keep suddenly remembering the menace of what is to come, though that is the point I guess, superb read, highly recommend.
September 17, 2018
I have found that I truly enjoy everything I've read of John Shors and this book is certainly no exception!
September 9, 2020
A good read but not my favorite John Shors’ book. I really enjoyed Patch and Lek and Lek’s entire family as characters, and I’d love to visit the island. However. Ryan’s character seemed to be undeveloped, especially for the rapid shift he undergoes. I struggled with most scenes involving him or Brooke. Years ago I fell in love with Beneath a Marble Sky, and it’s still my favorite. I can’t wait to read Shors’ new book, though.
September 6, 2011
Nature/Nurture: John Shors Finds the Relationship Again
John Shors has secured his place among popular American novelists of the decade with this his sixth novel that combines a growing respect of the beauties of the globe and the intricacies of the manner in which characters seemingly misplaced in locales seek to find themselves only to discover that their place in the confusion of the world is close at hand, partially shaded by nature's vagaries.
CROSS CURRENTS is Shors reaction to the now almost forgotten massively destructive tsunami that devastated much of Thailand in December 2004. His love of travel to exotic places seems to instill in him an obsession for his readers to visit the places that have meant much to him. In preparation for this particular novel he revisited Thailand several times, gathering information for his plot, but more important, soaking in the cultural differences in this exotic locales so that he might paint it more accurately.
He introduces us to a Thai family of simple means - Lek, Sarai, and their three children who make a living running an island tourist `resort' on the island of Ko Phi Phi. They have given harbor to an American lad by the name of Patch whom we later learn is avoiding the law after a poorly judged run-in with drug dealing. Patch and the children are particularly close and Patch's presence helps the little family survive.
From the United States comes Patches look alike brother Ryan with his girlfriend Brooke: Ryan is there in Thailand to convince Patch to turn himself in to the authorities, take his punishment and get on with his life. The brothers are very close, but different in their values systems. A rife divides not only the brothers but also unstable bond between Ryan and Brooke. After each of the brothers realizes the value of the other and the world begins to make a little sense, the tsunami comes and destroys the island and many of the inhabitants, but the fate of Patch and Ryan and Brooke and Ryan's newly discovered love of a massage girl Dao is altered in a strange way that brings closure to the story.
Shors has the ability to take us to the locations where he places his novels to the point that we can smell the air, feel the water, taste the cuisine, and most important understand the inhabitants of these far off lands' peoples. He has a gift in relating formation of relationships of all kinds and manipulates his characters in such a way that they become close friends of ours, making us feel their joys and sorrows like few other authors can. And a pleasure associated with his writing is the lack of need for exaggerated language or sex: everything happens naturally and while he doesn't concentrate on dwelling with issues that can become tiresome, nor does he deny these exist. It is a matter of taste in his writing that overcomes the need for smarmy writing. He has the gift as is obvious by the accolades from famous authors pasted in the first pages of his book. John Shors will be around for a long time.
Grady Harp
John Shors has secured his place among popular American novelists of the decade with this his sixth novel that combines a growing respect of the beauties of the globe and the intricacies of the manner in which characters seemingly misplaced in locales seek to find themselves only to discover that their place in the confusion of the world is close at hand, partially shaded by nature's vagaries.
CROSS CURRENTS is Shors reaction to the now almost forgotten massively destructive tsunami that devastated much of Thailand in December 2004. His love of travel to exotic places seems to instill in him an obsession for his readers to visit the places that have meant much to him. In preparation for this particular novel he revisited Thailand several times, gathering information for his plot, but more important, soaking in the cultural differences in this exotic locales so that he might paint it more accurately.
He introduces us to a Thai family of simple means - Lek, Sarai, and their three children who make a living running an island tourist `resort' on the island of Ko Phi Phi. They have given harbor to an American lad by the name of Patch whom we later learn is avoiding the law after a poorly judged run-in with drug dealing. Patch and the children are particularly close and Patch's presence helps the little family survive.
From the United States comes Patches look alike brother Ryan with his girlfriend Brooke: Ryan is there in Thailand to convince Patch to turn himself in to the authorities, take his punishment and get on with his life. The brothers are very close, but different in their values systems. A rife divides not only the brothers but also unstable bond between Ryan and Brooke. After each of the brothers realizes the value of the other and the world begins to make a little sense, the tsunami comes and destroys the island and many of the inhabitants, but the fate of Patch and Ryan and Brooke and Ryan's newly discovered love of a massage girl Dao is altered in a strange way that brings closure to the story.
Shors has the ability to take us to the locations where he places his novels to the point that we can smell the air, feel the water, taste the cuisine, and most important understand the inhabitants of these far off lands' peoples. He has a gift in relating formation of relationships of all kinds and manipulates his characters in such a way that they become close friends of ours, making us feel their joys and sorrows like few other authors can. And a pleasure associated with his writing is the lack of need for exaggerated language or sex: everything happens naturally and while he doesn't concentrate on dwelling with issues that can become tiresome, nor does he deny these exist. It is a matter of taste in his writing that overcomes the need for smarmy writing. He has the gift as is obvious by the accolades from famous authors pasted in the first pages of his book. John Shors will be around for a long time.
Grady Harp
November 2, 2011
I'm a long-time fan of John Shors, having jumped head first on his fan-wagon when I cracked the opening pages of "The Marble Sky." I had never read anything quite like that novel. It was simply spectacular and I recommend it to everyone. Since that novel, Shors has continued to produce incredibly stellar work; most recently the slightly heartbreaking and amazingly soulful "The Dragon House" about a children's shelter in Viet Nam.
My expectations, then were very high for "Cross Currents." So when it was a bit slow in the uptake for John's usual book it was frightening for someone who loves his work like I do. There was too much information about the children of the Thai family on which the novel focuses for me. I didn't really care about the minute details of the family's day-to-day activities. I was ready for the "Shor Show" that I knew he was able to produce!!
I nearly put the book down and wondered what happened to --why was this novel so different? What happened was what happens to all good fans of a favorite author: I refused to give up on the novel. I kept picking it back up and I kept reading. Soon the story began to really develop the American character, Patch, giving him a depth of angst, heart and unselfishness. When his brother and girlfriend come to Thailand's island of Ko Phi Phi to see him; and Ryan wants to convince Patch to take a difficult, untenable turn in his life, the plot really heats up. Suddenly, this book was reading like a true Shors novel!
I relay all of this to you simply to let you know that this may be a novel you'll have to give a chance. It's a wonderful story. What John was doing in the beginning was causing us to get to know the local family that his American protagonist came to love. He wanted us to understand the character and culture of the island people whose lives were destroyed in the Ko Phi Phi tsunami.
In "Cross Currents" there are characters you'll fall in love with who have depth of feeling and intensity of humanity. When the tragedy of the tsunami devastates Ko Phi Phi you'll be crushed in the throes of the ocean with a horror only akin to that that must have been felt by those trapped on the island that day. I could not believe how vividly Shors showed me those moments! I could see it so clearly and winced with sympathetic agony when his characters were torn and thrown in the impossible turbulence.
This is a powerful story full of the passion of human kindness, true love and personal sacrifice. This is a real John Shors novel. I'm happy to recommend it to you as strongly as I do his other books.
5 stars for life!
My expectations, then were very high for "Cross Currents." So when it was a bit slow in the uptake for John's usual book it was frightening for someone who loves his work like I do. There was too much information about the children of the Thai family on which the novel focuses for me. I didn't really care about the minute details of the family's day-to-day activities. I was ready for the "Shor Show" that I knew he was able to produce!!
I nearly put the book down and wondered what happened to --why was this novel so different? What happened was what happens to all good fans of a favorite author: I refused to give up on the novel. I kept picking it back up and I kept reading. Soon the story began to really develop the American character, Patch, giving him a depth of angst, heart and unselfishness. When his brother and girlfriend come to Thailand's island of Ko Phi Phi to see him; and Ryan wants to convince Patch to take a difficult, untenable turn in his life, the plot really heats up. Suddenly, this book was reading like a true Shors novel!
I relay all of this to you simply to let you know that this may be a novel you'll have to give a chance. It's a wonderful story. What John was doing in the beginning was causing us to get to know the local family that his American protagonist came to love. He wanted us to understand the character and culture of the island people whose lives were destroyed in the Ko Phi Phi tsunami.
In "Cross Currents" there are characters you'll fall in love with who have depth of feeling and intensity of humanity. When the tragedy of the tsunami devastates Ko Phi Phi you'll be crushed in the throes of the ocean with a horror only akin to that that must have been felt by those trapped on the island that day. I could not believe how vividly Shors showed me those moments! I could see it so clearly and winced with sympathetic agony when his characters were torn and thrown in the impossible turbulence.
This is a powerful story full of the passion of human kindness, true love and personal sacrifice. This is a real John Shors novel. I'm happy to recommend it to you as strongly as I do his other books.
5 stars for life!
September 7, 2011
Cross Currents by John Shors is set in the paradise of Ko Phi Phi in Thailand in 2004 as the lives of two families — struggling resort owners Lek and Sarai and brothers Patch and Ryan — cross paths. In paradise anything seems possible, especially for Patch who is running from the Thai police after a stupid mistake, but even more so for Lek and Sarai’s children with so much ahead of them.
From the moment readers enter Shors’ world, readers are engrossed in the sand, the sun, the stars, and the humidity of the jungles and the resort shops that wait for tourists to arrive. Lek and Sarai’s plight will draw empathy from readers, but what is more stunning is the strength they show on a daily basis. It is enough to see Sarai cook, clean, massage, and devise new ways to earn income for her family, while her husband is dreaming and keeping their spirits lively.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/09/c...
From the moment readers enter Shors’ world, readers are engrossed in the sand, the sun, the stars, and the humidity of the jungles and the resort shops that wait for tourists to arrive. Lek and Sarai’s plight will draw empathy from readers, but what is more stunning is the strength they show on a daily basis. It is enough to see Sarai cook, clean, massage, and devise new ways to earn income for her family, while her husband is dreaming and keeping their spirits lively.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2011/09/c...
January 3, 2017
I was reading this book while in Thailand, in Phuket.
It helped me understand better the relationship between the locals and the tourists and I found out more about the tsunami that hit the islands in 2004. I related a lot with the main story of the book as well - the connection between two brothers, Patch and Ryan.
The action is set in Ko Phi Phi. The island seems this idyllic, pristine paradise and it convinced me to add it to my itinerary.
It helped me understand better the relationship between the locals and the tourists and I found out more about the tsunami that hit the islands in 2004. I related a lot with the main story of the book as well - the connection between two brothers, Patch and Ryan.
The action is set in Ko Phi Phi. The island seems this idyllic, pristine paradise and it convinced me to add it to my itinerary.
January 12, 2012
I wond this novel through Goodreads.
In a few words" I was swept away by this novel"! Not only is it about love, loss, sacrifice, and family but John Shors writes with such passion that it takes you into the plots and makes you feel like your going through the love one minute and the great loss the next. Breathtaking and not one to miss!
In a few words" I was swept away by this novel"! Not only is it about love, loss, sacrifice, and family but John Shors writes with such passion that it takes you into the plots and makes you feel like your going through the love one minute and the great loss the next. Breathtaking and not one to miss!
March 12, 2020
Simplistic but descriptive writing, almost in the form of a travel brochure. The author's love for the Thai people is apparent. The ending was a little too pat for me.
July 9, 2021
Okay! After reading Beneath the Marble Sky, Temple of a Thousand Faces, and Unbound ...I expected more.
September 9, 2019
Originally posted on Romancing-the-Book.com
This was a wonderful novel about family, survival and love. The main characters were a family of 5 plus their grandmother from Ko Phi Phi island in Thailand and two American brothers. Shors did a masterful job of showing us the interactions between family members in their own family as well as between the two families. The vivid descriptions of the island, boats, restaurant, bungalows, the beach and the pier made you able to visualize the words and made you feel as if you were there - to see the sights, smell the sea and the foods, feel the heat along with the coolness of the water. There was love shown between the family members and the important role each one played in the family dynamics was explored. The devastation caused by the tsunami was made real in Shors telling and the ending itself was unexpected and caused many tears even though more happy endings than I expected were reported. The story flowed effortlessly and the richness in the telling was unexpected. I have not read other books written by Shors but they will be added to my to be read pile. I just hope the others are as well written as Cross Currents.
Favorite Quote: "...As the sun approached the horizon, its light changed colors, as if it were penetrating stained glass at an ancient cathedral, illuminating the island and sea in scarlet and amber. The sun's descent was slow and peaceful, as were the sounds of dusk - the beeps of tree frogs mingling with the distant drone of longboat engines."
This was a wonderful novel about family, survival and love. The main characters were a family of 5 plus their grandmother from Ko Phi Phi island in Thailand and two American brothers. Shors did a masterful job of showing us the interactions between family members in their own family as well as between the two families. The vivid descriptions of the island, boats, restaurant, bungalows, the beach and the pier made you able to visualize the words and made you feel as if you were there - to see the sights, smell the sea and the foods, feel the heat along with the coolness of the water. There was love shown between the family members and the important role each one played in the family dynamics was explored. The devastation caused by the tsunami was made real in Shors telling and the ending itself was unexpected and caused many tears even though more happy endings than I expected were reported. The story flowed effortlessly and the richness in the telling was unexpected. I have not read other books written by Shors but they will be added to my to be read pile. I just hope the others are as well written as Cross Currents.
Favorite Quote: "...As the sun approached the horizon, its light changed colors, as if it were penetrating stained glass at an ancient cathedral, illuminating the island and sea in scarlet and amber. The sun's descent was slow and peaceful, as were the sounds of dusk - the beeps of tree frogs mingling with the distant drone of longboat engines."
May 25, 2022
I always try to find novels that evoke a sense of the place I’m traveling to, so this novel about Koh Phi Phi was a good find. Even more so because of its telling of the terrible tsunami that ripped through the narrow strip of land there on Dec 26, 2004.
The story has a good premise, and the storytelling is adequate, though the plot lines are pretty thin, and some of the descriptive language is melodramatic and amateurish (not that I’m a professional writer and I know it’s hard but… I’ve read lots of excellent literature and thus ain’t it). Anyway it’s still a nice light read (tragedy at the end notwithstanding) and it definitely has evoked some great memories of our few days on Phi Phi during our tour. It also makes me want to read more about that terrible tsunami and its effect on the island - so much more terrible to envision once you’ve seen firsthand how narrow that piece of land is and what it must have looked like to have giant waves coming at it from both sides.
Can’t say I’d recommend this as a “must read” about Thailand but it was decent enough to compel me to finish.
The story has a good premise, and the storytelling is adequate, though the plot lines are pretty thin, and some of the descriptive language is melodramatic and amateurish (not that I’m a professional writer and I know it’s hard but… I’ve read lots of excellent literature and thus ain’t it). Anyway it’s still a nice light read (tragedy at the end notwithstanding) and it definitely has evoked some great memories of our few days on Phi Phi during our tour. It also makes me want to read more about that terrible tsunami and its effect on the island - so much more terrible to envision once you’ve seen firsthand how narrow that piece of land is and what it must have looked like to have giant waves coming at it from both sides.
Can’t say I’d recommend this as a “must read” about Thailand but it was decent enough to compel me to finish.
July 25, 2022
Cross Currents was a pretty solid read. I really liked the setting a lot. The imagery was lush and warm and gave me wanderlust vibes. I was pretty much indifferent to the characters themselves though. Except for Ryan who I didn't really care for. Patch is pretty cool though. I think that Cross Currents had a pretty interesting story line featuring a man on the run from the law hiding away in paradise.
December 28, 2022
I wasn’t able to put down this book. The characters were so interesting. I loved the setting enough to want to visit there one day. One of the main characters has gotten in trouble in Bangkok and is hiding in a small resort area of Ko Phi Phi. He becomes close with the family and is a big help to them. His older brother and girlfriend come to the island to help him. Things don’t turn out as they expected.
August 15, 2017
A wonderful story about the resilience and perseverance of the Thai people and how it was tested by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004. Certainly heartbreaking in parts, but overall, this story was heartwarming and full of hope.
January 3, 2023
I always enjoy a John Shors novel, and this one was no different. Knowing that the tsunami was coming filled me with a sense of dread as I became attached to these characters, wondering who would make it out and who would not. Nevertheless, it was a great read and a good way to start off my 2023 reading challenge.
August 19, 2019
tsunami is coming although the characters are unaware. Family strength, love and betrayal.
November 30, 2021
I would give this book 3 3/4 stars. I didn’t think it was quite as good as other John Shors books I have read but still excellent. John Shors sets a very high bar.
May 20, 2022
This book just did not hold my interest, but I finally got through it.
May 30, 2024
incredibly moving story
What a well told story of love, romance, childhood, pain, anguish, beauty, terror, desire, food and so much more. Powerful
What a well told story of love, romance, childhood, pain, anguish, beauty, terror, desire, food and so much more. Powerful
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