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Opposite Extremes
When native Texan, Lan Henderson, lands in Hong Kong he emerges from the plane like he’s arrived on another planet. Flashing lights, exotic women, endless street vendors and a 4,000-year-old culture. As Lan struggles to impress the family of his wife-to-be, he recalls vast differences between his overseas life, and the one he shared with an impulsive young blonde in America. Plagued by memories of a reckless, drug-dealing ex-girlfriend and carefree lifestyle, Lan must journey within to find what he wants most. To return to the person he used to be, or begin a fresh life with a socially conservative violinist. Not acclimating to this British-Asian republic will mean giving up his Hong Kong sweetheart and the love of his life.
Take a wild journey of foreign lands, extraordinary experiences and the occasional psychedelic mishap.
Take a wild journey of foreign lands, extraordinary experiences and the occasional psychedelic mishap.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 26, 2021
Lan has had the fortune to have two girlfriends who are polar opposite. Jess has an addiction and can easily drag Lan down. Samantha(Sam) lifts him up through her dedication to her violin and her family. Luckily for Lan, he can see the best path in his life is Sam. To be able for Lan to continue his relationship with Sam, he needs to meet her family in Hong Kong and receive their blessing. What could possibly go wrong? This authors writing of Lan's experience of arriving and navigating in Hong Kong is spot on! My "places seen in dreams" of Bangkok didn't do it justice. The sights, smells mass of people, mode of travel, food, and time change=culture shock. I felt every one of Lan's feelings and more. Well done!
April 20, 2015
This review is also posted on my blog: http://theshortreviewer.blogspot.com/...
Jeremy Morgan’s novella shows the stark contrast between the main character’s ex-girlfriend, Jess, in America, and his current girlfriend, Sam, in Hong Kong. Each chapter switches back and forth between Lan’s past and present life. I immediately liked Sam, who is clearly a sweet and genuine person. On the other hand, I found Jess to be a selfish girl who uses other people to get what she wants. Lan is naturally very anxious as he is leaving his former life in the States to live in Hong Kong with Sam. I have to admit that I was a bit jealous; it sounds so exciting to move to another country where the culture is so vastly different, although it would certainly be a scary change as well. The author does an excellent job of showing his conflicted emotions as he embarks on this dramatic transition in his life.
Eloquently written, this story flows smoothly with descriptive scenes and captivating dialogue. I became immersed in the sights and sounds of Hong Kong, and likewise with his world back in the U.S. as he lived a rather edgy lifestyle with Jess. The romantic elements were enjoyable and well done, and I found everything in the story to be very realistic. It was a quick and easy read that I devoured within a few days.
My only complaint was that it ended sooner than I wanted it to! Even though I knew it was a novella, I was hoping to see more of what would happen. Although the ending tied everything up nicely, I felt as if it were missing something. It would be interesting to see this turned into a full length novel or perhaps to even have a sequel.
Overall, this is a book that I would definitely recommend!
Jeremy Morgan’s novella shows the stark contrast between the main character’s ex-girlfriend, Jess, in America, and his current girlfriend, Sam, in Hong Kong. Each chapter switches back and forth between Lan’s past and present life. I immediately liked Sam, who is clearly a sweet and genuine person. On the other hand, I found Jess to be a selfish girl who uses other people to get what she wants. Lan is naturally very anxious as he is leaving his former life in the States to live in Hong Kong with Sam. I have to admit that I was a bit jealous; it sounds so exciting to move to another country where the culture is so vastly different, although it would certainly be a scary change as well. The author does an excellent job of showing his conflicted emotions as he embarks on this dramatic transition in his life.
Eloquently written, this story flows smoothly with descriptive scenes and captivating dialogue. I became immersed in the sights and sounds of Hong Kong, and likewise with his world back in the U.S. as he lived a rather edgy lifestyle with Jess. The romantic elements were enjoyable and well done, and I found everything in the story to be very realistic. It was a quick and easy read that I devoured within a few days.
My only complaint was that it ended sooner than I wanted it to! Even though I knew it was a novella, I was hoping to see more of what would happen. Although the ending tied everything up nicely, I felt as if it were missing something. It would be interesting to see this turned into a full length novel or perhaps to even have a sequel.
Overall, this is a book that I would definitely recommend!
May 22, 2013
Opposite Extremes is an intriguing novella, very well written with beautiful phrases and vivid descriptions of both Hong Kong and America. I was drawn to this book by the title and cover as well as a personal fascination with Hong Kong. A fan of East Asian New Wave, I was curious to read a story where a good portion of the action takes place in present day Hong Kong, written from a Western perspective.
Jeremy Morgan has an understated, almost delicate writing style that is still clearly masculine. He artistically weaves imagery that let us share in the experience of falling in love and being in love, quite beautifully. I was quite moved more than once. The dichotomy of the two relationships as a backdrop to moving between worlds is intelligently explored. The narrative technique of using the past and present tense sets up the differences and time frames of each. Lan's journey between Jess and Sam is indicative of his journey towards self knowledge and acceptance.
While, in one sense the author uses the two women as a metaphor for East and West, I was still very aware of this as a real love story about real and struggling people. The intertwining of the two women and Lan's past and present is an insightful and appealing journey well worth taking. Highly recommended
First published on Amazon for the Kindle Book Review
Jeremy Morgan has an understated, almost delicate writing style that is still clearly masculine. He artistically weaves imagery that let us share in the experience of falling in love and being in love, quite beautifully. I was quite moved more than once. The dichotomy of the two relationships as a backdrop to moving between worlds is intelligently explored. The narrative technique of using the past and present tense sets up the differences and time frames of each. Lan's journey between Jess and Sam is indicative of his journey towards self knowledge and acceptance.
While, in one sense the author uses the two women as a metaphor for East and West, I was still very aware of this as a real love story about real and struggling people. The intertwining of the two women and Lan's past and present is an insightful and appealing journey well worth taking. Highly recommended
First published on Amazon for the Kindle Book Review
July 12, 2013
I just finished Opposite Extremes by Jeremy Morgan. This was a difficult book for me to read because it changed back and forth between the two female characters. I like to read about one and then the other. The book itself was very easy to read and quite entertaining although I found myself wanting to smack Lan at times.
Lan is finally getting his chance to travel to Hong Kong. In fact, he is moving there to work and to be near his girlfriend, Sam. Sam is from a very traditional Asian family and was allowed to go to school at Princeton with the understanding that she work for four years for her father to repay her tuition. Lan has accompanied her to Hong Kong thinking he knew what he was doing. He was in for major culture shock.
Meanwhile, the book goes back to Jess and tells Lan's background and his life with Jess before he left Texas for Princeton. Lan and Jess had an on and off relationship for a time and he enjoyed and loved her bohemian life. When she moves in with him prior to his going to Princeton, things don't work out as well as he would like.
Lan now had to deal with Sam's family, a new job, culture shock, and memories of how easy life was with Jess. Was it easier because he was comfortable in that environment or because he loves her and not really Sam? Lan had a dilemma to figure out and fast.
In spite of the format of the book, I did enjoy it. I would recommend it to all readers of contemporary fiction. It took me longer to read this book because of July 4 and family obligations. Normally it would take one day.
Lan is finally getting his chance to travel to Hong Kong. In fact, he is moving there to work and to be near his girlfriend, Sam. Sam is from a very traditional Asian family and was allowed to go to school at Princeton with the understanding that she work for four years for her father to repay her tuition. Lan has accompanied her to Hong Kong thinking he knew what he was doing. He was in for major culture shock.
Meanwhile, the book goes back to Jess and tells Lan's background and his life with Jess before he left Texas for Princeton. Lan and Jess had an on and off relationship for a time and he enjoyed and loved her bohemian life. When she moves in with him prior to his going to Princeton, things don't work out as well as he would like.
Lan now had to deal with Sam's family, a new job, culture shock, and memories of how easy life was with Jess. Was it easier because he was comfortable in that environment or because he loves her and not really Sam? Lan had a dilemma to figure out and fast.
In spite of the format of the book, I did enjoy it. I would recommend it to all readers of contemporary fiction. It took me longer to read this book because of July 4 and family obligations. Normally it would take one day.
May 21, 2014
Opposite Extremes is a sweet story by an exciting new writer, but it isn't your typical mushy romance. The plot unravels quickly, but naturally, and the voice reads as truly organic storytelling. There are no predictable formulas or contrived plot lines; instead, Opposite Extremes takes us on two realistic journeys, with two starkly different women, and in two equally different settings, to examine the humanity of love. What makes a heart tick?
In his first novella, Jeremy Morgan shows us that maybe the answer to that question isn't as simple as we might have thought.
As a young man, the narrator, Lan, meets Jess, who is very impulsive, sometimes selfish, and often wild. She's a troubled but exciting young American girl living in Amarillo, a boring place that contrasts as much with Jess's personality as black does from white. Later, Lan meets Sam, who comes from a conservative Chinese family. On a trip to China, we learn how sweet and reserved Sam is, but that she's also highly intelligent and quite talented. Both women, and both settings, bring out sides to Lan's personality that he himself might not have known he even had. So in which relationship does Lan find comfort? In which relationship does he find passion?
The answer to that question, it seems, is both.
Written in a casual voice and easy-to-read rhythm, you feel like you're sitting with Lan Henderson himself as he tells you the story of how he found love, and then found love again.
In his first novella, Jeremy Morgan shows us that maybe the answer to that question isn't as simple as we might have thought.
As a young man, the narrator, Lan, meets Jess, who is very impulsive, sometimes selfish, and often wild. She's a troubled but exciting young American girl living in Amarillo, a boring place that contrasts as much with Jess's personality as black does from white. Later, Lan meets Sam, who comes from a conservative Chinese family. On a trip to China, we learn how sweet and reserved Sam is, but that she's also highly intelligent and quite talented. Both women, and both settings, bring out sides to Lan's personality that he himself might not have known he even had. So in which relationship does Lan find comfort? In which relationship does he find passion?
The answer to that question, it seems, is both.
Written in a casual voice and easy-to-read rhythm, you feel like you're sitting with Lan Henderson himself as he tells you the story of how he found love, and then found love again.
May 25, 2013
Opposite Extremes sucked me in from the the first page and managed to capture and hold my attention until the last. Finding myself torn between wanting to know who Lan ended up-the unpredictable, wild, and fun American gal, Jess, or the Cantonese refined, beauty, Sam-and wanting it last a bit longer was my biggest issue concerning the novella. A great problem to have when reading a book.
It took me on a journey to Hong Kong and back again.
"We walked the busy streets of Hong Kong until our feet blistered, at times shuffling our way through throngs of people so large and tightly packed, I questioned my share of oxygen."
The novella seamlessly flips back and forth between the two drastically different relationships with Jess and Sam.
"Jess's laughter had a way of pulling you into her world, a place where free impulse reined and no one else existed but her."
"Sam's body moved gently, interwoven withe the rhythm, the spirit of the sound flowing through her."
You want to know who Lan picked? Check it out and see for yourself! You won't be disappointed.
It took me on a journey to Hong Kong and back again.
"We walked the busy streets of Hong Kong until our feet blistered, at times shuffling our way through throngs of people so large and tightly packed, I questioned my share of oxygen."
The novella seamlessly flips back and forth between the two drastically different relationships with Jess and Sam.
"Jess's laughter had a way of pulling you into her world, a place where free impulse reined and no one else existed but her."
"Sam's body moved gently, interwoven withe the rhythm, the spirit of the sound flowing through her."
You want to know who Lan picked? Check it out and see for yourself! You won't be disappointed.
June 4, 2013
Interesting novella, with well developed characters and an interesting setting.
I really liked how these women, so different from one another, became so relevant to shape Lan and the man he was. Jessica was just too wild and careless, while Sam was much more refined, smart and delicate.
I also enjoyed the way it was written; it had a nice flow and it incorporated interesting details about Hong Kong and chinese culture.
I really liked how these women, so different from one another, became so relevant to shape Lan and the man he was. Jessica was just too wild and careless, while Sam was much more refined, smart and delicate.
I also enjoyed the way it was written; it had a nice flow and it incorporated interesting details about Hong Kong and chinese culture.
May 28, 2013
I can relate to Lan. I emigrated myself and can imagine how it would be like to get used to another culture. The chapters alternate between Jess, Lan's former girlfriend and Samantha his current. Jess is a wild girl who takes drugs and doesn't care about the law. Sam has strong family values.
Opposite extremes is a good candidate while travelling or to read in bed.
Opposite extremes is a good candidate while travelling or to read in bed.
May 7, 2013
I think this book is well written. Totally recommend if you have a couple of hours as its a novella and a relatively quick and entertaining read!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews