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A Harvest of Thorns
A beloved American corporation with an explosive secret. A disgraced former journalist looking for redemption. A corporate executive with nothing left to lose.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, a garment factory burns to the ground, claiming the lives of hundreds of workers, mostly young women. Amid the rubble, a bystander captures a heart-stopping photograph—a teenage girl lying in the dirt, her body broken by a multi-story fall, and over her mouth a mask of fabric bearing the label of one of America’s largest retailers, Presto Omnishops Corporation.
Eight thousand miles away, at Presto’s headquarters in Virginia, Cameron Alexander, the company’s long-time general counsel, watches the media coverage of the fire in horror, wondering if the damage can be contained. When the photo goes viral, fanning the flames of a decades old controversy about sweatshops, labor rights, and the ethics of globalization, he launches an investigation into the disaster that will reach farther than he could ever imagine - and threaten everything he has left in the world.
A year later, in Washington, D.C., Joshua Griswold, a disgraced former journalist from the Washington Post, receives an anonymous summons from a corporate whistleblower who offers him confidential information about Presto and the fire. For Griswold, the challenge of exposing Presto’s culpability is irresistible, as is the chance, however slight, at redemption. Deploying his old journalistic skills, he builds a historic case against Presto, setting the stage for a war in the courtroom and in the media that Griswold is determined to win—both to salvage his reputation and to provoke a revolution of conscience in Presto’s boardroom that could transform the fashion industry across the globe.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, a garment factory burns to the ground, claiming the lives of hundreds of workers, mostly young women. Amid the rubble, a bystander captures a heart-stopping photograph—a teenage girl lying in the dirt, her body broken by a multi-story fall, and over her mouth a mask of fabric bearing the label of one of America’s largest retailers, Presto Omnishops Corporation.
Eight thousand miles away, at Presto’s headquarters in Virginia, Cameron Alexander, the company’s long-time general counsel, watches the media coverage of the fire in horror, wondering if the damage can be contained. When the photo goes viral, fanning the flames of a decades old controversy about sweatshops, labor rights, and the ethics of globalization, he launches an investigation into the disaster that will reach farther than he could ever imagine - and threaten everything he has left in the world.
A year later, in Washington, D.C., Joshua Griswold, a disgraced former journalist from the Washington Post, receives an anonymous summons from a corporate whistleblower who offers him confidential information about Presto and the fire. For Griswold, the challenge of exposing Presto’s culpability is irresistible, as is the chance, however slight, at redemption. Deploying his old journalistic skills, he builds a historic case against Presto, setting the stage for a war in the courtroom and in the media that Griswold is determined to win—both to salvage his reputation and to provoke a revolution of conscience in Presto’s boardroom that could transform the fashion industry across the globe.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 24, 2017
193 people are currently reading
2162 people want to read
About the author
Corban Addison
8 books719 followersCorban Addison is the international bestselling author of four novels, A Walk Across the Sun, The Garden of Burning Sand, The Tears of Dark Water, which won the inaugural Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, and A Harvest of Thorns. His newest book, Wastelands, is his first work of narrative non-fiction. It will be published by Alfred A. Knopf in June 2022. His books have been published in more than twenty-five countries and address some of today’s most pressing human rights issues. He lives with his wife and children in Virginia.
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April 28, 2018
A Harvest of Thorns by Corban Addison proved to be the quintessential “crossover” novel (career-wise, not genre-wise). By that I mean that in reading this novel, it is clear that Addison has a background in law, among other things, and that writing was not his first profession. This, in itself, is not a bad thing, and we see it all the time nowadays: novels about painters, journalists, lawyers, etc., written by authors with firsthand experience in the field who caught a fancy for writing somewhere along the line. Thus, as to be expected from its predecessors in like fiction, here you’ll find thorough and intellectual narration, complete with high-brow vocabulary and a in-depth presentation of law and journalistic inside knowledge.
All in all, there was something standing in the way of me feeling anything for this book and its characters. Don’t get me wrong: it was pretty well-executed, the plot flowed (though there did seem to be a dividing point about midway through where the novel could’ve just stopped, been done, concluded—but it continued on with the lawsuit portion). I trusted the narrative voice, because it was so well-informed, so in the “know,” and so fluid in its interpretation of the cultural mores, political and economic lines in the sand and of the subject matter as a whole. Yet, it fell into the same trap that many other novels of this kind do: it was a shade too clinical, too fully immersed in cerebral, to pull me in completely. In short, though the story was well told, it lacked a soul.
There were so many moments where it was obvious that the reader should feel, should commiserate with the characters, but rarely could I do so, because A Harvest of Thorns was not executed in a tone that would allow me cross that line with them. It allowed me to appreciate the sophistication and intellectualism of this read, while forcing me out into the fringes of emotive, not quite there. The backstories seemed almost like an afterthought. They weren’t woven intricately into the fabric of the story, rather they were the fringe details allotted to make it pretty, to dress it up and give it some extra color. Because of the subject matter of this novel, that, again, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; it was just sort of there, neutral.
And, I absolutely must note two things: The first is that part of the plot seemed a little unrealistic, as though Addison felt it would create tension in the plot but didn’t really think that thought out to the end. Case in point, if our protagonist, Cameron, is so intelligent, sharp at his job, educated at Harvard, yadayada, why would he be so shocked to have “discovered” the reality of slave labor and other avenues of corruption within the realm of outsourcing apparel making to Southeast Asian countries? I mean, that seems like common sense to me—the very act of sending the jobs abroad in the first place reeks of corporate corruption and unethical motives, so why the staggering shock, Cameron? Come on. If you’re going to base half your plot off of an investigation, at least make the motives of the investigation plausible. Cameron, thankfully, was portrayed as a seasoned, incisive lawyer, but this plot angle undercut that for me just a tad. Not enough to take away stars, but enough to annoy slightly. (Though, I must also note that Corban Addison gets major props for writing such an otherwise strong, African-American leading man! We need more of those out there!)
Secondly, the intersection and presentation of the timelines was confusing, because they were not chronological, and, moreover, weren’t centered around just one storyline but many. I had to flip back to the beginning of the previous chapter many times to figure out where I was in the timeline. Was I going forward or backward in time with this next chapter? How’s that for pulling you out of a good read?
By far, the strength of this novel is found in its vivid detail of setting. As a reader, I felt that I was really in Bangladesh, in the corporate war room at the corporation under siege, that I was really in the courtroom during the legal mêlée. Corban Addison wrote on subject matter that he is very fluid and well-versed in, and that showed, much to his credit. If you’re a reader who’s in it for a good political thriller, who wants to be inside of the legal decisions and right on the flapping coattails of the protagonist going undercover and unearthing ugly truths, then this is the read for you! If you’re not here for the Kleenex reads, and you roll your eyes at melodrama, you’ve found your match! This is a Dan Brown meets Stephen L. Carter sort of read—you’ll get a little thrill of the chase and a little high-brow intellectualism all in one shot. This was a great read, but the lack of emotive skill lost it a star or so. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, PURELY on the basis of the execution of everything not involving emotion :). ****
*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Navi Review | Twitter | Bookstagram
All in all, there was something standing in the way of me feeling anything for this book and its characters. Don’t get me wrong: it was pretty well-executed, the plot flowed (though there did seem to be a dividing point about midway through where the novel could’ve just stopped, been done, concluded—but it continued on with the lawsuit portion). I trusted the narrative voice, because it was so well-informed, so in the “know,” and so fluid in its interpretation of the cultural mores, political and economic lines in the sand and of the subject matter as a whole. Yet, it fell into the same trap that many other novels of this kind do: it was a shade too clinical, too fully immersed in cerebral, to pull me in completely. In short, though the story was well told, it lacked a soul.
There were so many moments where it was obvious that the reader should feel, should commiserate with the characters, but rarely could I do so, because A Harvest of Thorns was not executed in a tone that would allow me cross that line with them. It allowed me to appreciate the sophistication and intellectualism of this read, while forcing me out into the fringes of emotive, not quite there. The backstories seemed almost like an afterthought. They weren’t woven intricately into the fabric of the story, rather they were the fringe details allotted to make it pretty, to dress it up and give it some extra color. Because of the subject matter of this novel, that, again, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; it was just sort of there, neutral.
And, I absolutely must note two things: The first is that part of the plot seemed a little unrealistic, as though Addison felt it would create tension in the plot but didn’t really think that thought out to the end. Case in point, if our protagonist, Cameron, is so intelligent, sharp at his job, educated at Harvard, yadayada, why would he be so shocked to have “discovered” the reality of slave labor and other avenues of corruption within the realm of outsourcing apparel making to Southeast Asian countries? I mean, that seems like common sense to me—the very act of sending the jobs abroad in the first place reeks of corporate corruption and unethical motives, so why the staggering shock, Cameron? Come on. If you’re going to base half your plot off of an investigation, at least make the motives of the investigation plausible. Cameron, thankfully, was portrayed as a seasoned, incisive lawyer, but this plot angle undercut that for me just a tad. Not enough to take away stars, but enough to annoy slightly. (Though, I must also note that Corban Addison gets major props for writing such an otherwise strong, African-American leading man! We need more of those out there!)
Secondly, the intersection and presentation of the timelines was confusing, because they were not chronological, and, moreover, weren’t centered around just one storyline but many. I had to flip back to the beginning of the previous chapter many times to figure out where I was in the timeline. Was I going forward or backward in time with this next chapter? How’s that for pulling you out of a good read?
By far, the strength of this novel is found in its vivid detail of setting. As a reader, I felt that I was really in Bangladesh, in the corporate war room at the corporation under siege, that I was really in the courtroom during the legal mêlée. Corban Addison wrote on subject matter that he is very fluid and well-versed in, and that showed, much to his credit. If you’re a reader who’s in it for a good political thriller, who wants to be inside of the legal decisions and right on the flapping coattails of the protagonist going undercover and unearthing ugly truths, then this is the read for you! If you’re not here for the Kleenex reads, and you roll your eyes at melodrama, you’ve found your match! This is a Dan Brown meets Stephen L. Carter sort of read—you’ll get a little thrill of the chase and a little high-brow intellectualism all in one shot. This was a great read, but the lack of emotive skill lost it a star or so. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, PURELY on the basis of the execution of everything not involving emotion :). ****
*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Navi Review | Twitter | Bookstagram
February 10, 2017
When a factory burns down in Bangladesh, killing over two hundred people and injuring many more, a young girl's broken body, with a label of a big American brand attached to the garment covering her face hits the international headlines.
The largest retail clothing company is under investor revolt, a citizen protest and media bloodletting. Sales on Black Friday is in danger and company shares drop with each minute the news is spread all over the world by the media who leech from the event as much as they can get. The three-trillion-dollar global apparel machine continue to hum, minting money for the brands, but it is soon to change if the Presto Corporation cannot stem the tsunami of bad news hitting their shores.
Cameron Alexander, senior vice president and general counsel for the Presto Corporation decide to secretly investigate the fire and find the girl who's photo threatens to destroy the company's image. He does not involve his best friend, Vance Lawson, the company's CEO, in his plans and leaves in the company's Gulfstream G550 on his undercover mission.
He soon discovers that for the entire Presto Corporation there was a world before Sonia Hassan, and the world after her, when his investigations leads to the factories in Bangladesh, Jordan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and exposes the entire American retail economy in collusion with labor abusers, corrupt governments and human trafficking.
The NAFTA agreement enables American companies to make the calculated end run around all the labor protection that American workers gained a hundred years ago. They dropped their American workers, but not their American markets. And the American consumers are just too happy to buy bargain products, doesn't matter how, where, or by whom it was made.
A saga unfolds around the privileged families and lawyers getting involved.
Josh is determined to introduce the real people behind the three-trillion dollar economy to the American citizens and create an awareness of the situation behind the cheap products.
COMMENTS
The book has a beautiful cover.
Although it is predictable, the story introduces complex characters populating a world of greed and power. A combination of documentary and novel, the tale centers around the morals and ethics behind the ruthless pursuit of profits and sales in the global village.
The story is drawn-out and could have ended sooner, with careful editing that could have made it stronger, more dramatic, more intriguing. The prose is excellent. The background is atmospheric and convincing. A difficult moral issue is addressed in a good way.
The story contains too many issues to fill up the background. However, it does provide a richness to the different characters. They all have a backstory to tell.
Although the book exposes the clothing industry for what it really is, it is still a relaxing read, devoid of excessive violence (for the sake of effect or for over dramatization purposes). A gentle compromise concludes the book. It was definitely an informative read.
3.5 settle for 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Thomas Nelson, for the opportunity to review the book.
The largest retail clothing company is under investor revolt, a citizen protest and media bloodletting. Sales on Black Friday is in danger and company shares drop with each minute the news is spread all over the world by the media who leech from the event as much as they can get. The three-trillion-dollar global apparel machine continue to hum, minting money for the brands, but it is soon to change if the Presto Corporation cannot stem the tsunami of bad news hitting their shores.
Cameron Alexander, senior vice president and general counsel for the Presto Corporation decide to secretly investigate the fire and find the girl who's photo threatens to destroy the company's image. He does not involve his best friend, Vance Lawson, the company's CEO, in his plans and leaves in the company's Gulfstream G550 on his undercover mission.
He soon discovers that for the entire Presto Corporation there was a world before Sonia Hassan, and the world after her, when his investigations leads to the factories in Bangladesh, Jordan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and exposes the entire American retail economy in collusion with labor abusers, corrupt governments and human trafficking.
The NAFTA agreement enables American companies to make the calculated end run around all the labor protection that American workers gained a hundred years ago. They dropped their American workers, but not their American markets. And the American consumers are just too happy to buy bargain products, doesn't matter how, where, or by whom it was made.
A saga unfolds around the privileged families and lawyers getting involved.
After Vance and Cameron departed, Josh took a moment to survey the chief executive’s office. The baronial décor, dominated by reds and browns and dark leather and Oriental rugs, triggered something in his memory – the Harvard Club in New York. He hadn’t been there in years, but he remembered it distinctly, all the lamps and sconces and portraits on the walls, the weight of privilege in every gilded frame. That was the world in which Vance had been reared, a world of mansions and servants and summer houses on Nantucket. He hadn’t climbed his way to this lofty perch overlooking the Washington skyline as much as he had been born to it, in the same way that Lewis and Madison had been born to a lineage of social reformers and Cameron to a pedigree of Boston lawyers. It was the way of the world. But the world wasn’t immutable. Things could change...Joshua Griswold - an award winning, disgraced journalist, meets up with a whistleblower from the company and is persuaded to file a lawsuit against the company. In his own research he finds the people behind the corporate wealth, the poor, abused people such as Sonia Hassan and her father Ashik; Jashel Sayed Parveen, and Alya Begum.
Josh is determined to introduce the real people behind the three-trillion dollar economy to the American citizens and create an awareness of the situation behind the cheap products.
COMMENTS
The book has a beautiful cover.
Although it is predictable, the story introduces complex characters populating a world of greed and power. A combination of documentary and novel, the tale centers around the morals and ethics behind the ruthless pursuit of profits and sales in the global village.
The story is drawn-out and could have ended sooner, with careful editing that could have made it stronger, more dramatic, more intriguing. The prose is excellent. The background is atmospheric and convincing. A difficult moral issue is addressed in a good way.
The story contains too many issues to fill up the background. However, it does provide a richness to the different characters. They all have a backstory to tell.
Although the book exposes the clothing industry for what it really is, it is still a relaxing read, devoid of excessive violence (for the sake of effect or for over dramatization purposes). A gentle compromise concludes the book. It was definitely an informative read.
3.5 settle for 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Thomas Nelson, for the opportunity to review the book.
February 8, 2017
A fire breaks out in a shoddy factory in Bangladesh that manufactures clothing. Back in the United States, a media storm is unleashed about the event yielding negative press for Presto Corporation whose labels appear in the photos. We meet Cameron Alexander, general counsel for Presto. Cameron’s job is to now perform damage control over the negative press and launch an investigation of the fire. Cameron needs to ensure that the company has airtight compliance over their global sourcing standards so that these occurrences do not happen again.
During his investigation, Cameron is faced with a morality issue. He is stuck between the need to support his company and his own sympathy for the victims. He finds that the corporate compliance set in place for the contracting of manufacturing goods at times are circumvented when the work is subcontracted out to other vendors. This practice has led to unsafe working conditions.
A journalist, Joshua Griswold, receives anonymous incriminating information about the Presto fire investigation. He tirelessly works on a lawsuit for the victims of the fire and at the same time is trying to build a name for himself.
The book is well written and alternates between Cameron and Joshua as they progress through the investigation. The novel is based upon the research the author did with survivors he met from a factory fire in Bangladesh. This book seriously made me think about the source of my family’s clothing.
Giving away 2 copies on my blog on facebook until 1/22 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...
During his investigation, Cameron is faced with a morality issue. He is stuck between the need to support his company and his own sympathy for the victims. He finds that the corporate compliance set in place for the contracting of manufacturing goods at times are circumvented when the work is subcontracted out to other vendors. This practice has led to unsafe working conditions.
A journalist, Joshua Griswold, receives anonymous incriminating information about the Presto fire investigation. He tirelessly works on a lawsuit for the victims of the fire and at the same time is trying to build a name for himself.
The book is well written and alternates between Cameron and Joshua as they progress through the investigation. The novel is based upon the research the author did with survivors he met from a factory fire in Bangladesh. This book seriously made me think about the source of my family’s clothing.
Giving away 2 copies on my blog on facebook until 1/22 https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars
This is a hard book to review. It tells a compelling story but could have used the hand of a wonderful editor. It is obvious that the author's first profession is not writing but the story is so compelling that it draws you in. It could have been edited by a good 75 pages and should have been. And yet it tells a dirty secret that we all know but prefer not to examine too closely to all of our shame.
The story starts with a horrific fire in a clothing manufacturing factory in Bangladesh. Hundreds of workers die in the substandard building where they are making pants for Presto (obviously Walmart) and the news goes world wide right before the important Christmas shopping season. As corporate figures scramble to control the damage, they discover that their clothes should not have been worked on in that factory. They have placed it on the Do Not Use list because of their shoddy conditions.
And so we are drawn into the murky workings of international clothes manufacturing. We are taken from Bangladesh to Malaysia to Jordan (a place I had no idea was a hot bed manufacturing). We meet characters in every country and learn how they are drawn into the profession. We learn about the horrible working conditions, the enslavement of workers, the bribery and the abuse of women even at good factories. It makes me want to rip off every piece of clothes off my back and run naked through the house.
It's a dilemma that we all know and yet have not resolved. We all turn a blind eye to it. Although we don't want to encourage those working conditions, we still have to dress. The book draws an amazing analogy to the Civil War when the abolitionists continued to wear shirts with cotton in them. We think we have resolved the problems but actually pushed them onto foreign countries where we don't have to see them close up.
And that's the dilemma of the book, is it a novel or an expose of the manufacturing industry? It doesn't seem to know and ranges from a nonfiction book to a story cobbled together. It tries to tackle too much including a slavery section that I assume was added to show parallels to current times. It's just I wasn't sure what I was reading half the time. At times it went into so much depth that I was exhausted.
And yet it's an important story that just needed polishing, editing and more focus. I do want to draw attention to one tiny thing that really bothered me. I received an early release edition in order to review it and the print was so tiny that it was troublesome. I don't know if that will be a problem in the regular release books but for those who hate to read tiny print, you might want to check that out before you buy it.
This is a hard book to review. It tells a compelling story but could have used the hand of a wonderful editor. It is obvious that the author's first profession is not writing but the story is so compelling that it draws you in. It could have been edited by a good 75 pages and should have been. And yet it tells a dirty secret that we all know but prefer not to examine too closely to all of our shame.
The story starts with a horrific fire in a clothing manufacturing factory in Bangladesh. Hundreds of workers die in the substandard building where they are making pants for Presto (obviously Walmart) and the news goes world wide right before the important Christmas shopping season. As corporate figures scramble to control the damage, they discover that their clothes should not have been worked on in that factory. They have placed it on the Do Not Use list because of their shoddy conditions.
And so we are drawn into the murky workings of international clothes manufacturing. We are taken from Bangladesh to Malaysia to Jordan (a place I had no idea was a hot bed manufacturing). We meet characters in every country and learn how they are drawn into the profession. We learn about the horrible working conditions, the enslavement of workers, the bribery and the abuse of women even at good factories. It makes me want to rip off every piece of clothes off my back and run naked through the house.
It's a dilemma that we all know and yet have not resolved. We all turn a blind eye to it. Although we don't want to encourage those working conditions, we still have to dress. The book draws an amazing analogy to the Civil War when the abolitionists continued to wear shirts with cotton in them. We think we have resolved the problems but actually pushed them onto foreign countries where we don't have to see them close up.
And that's the dilemma of the book, is it a novel or an expose of the manufacturing industry? It doesn't seem to know and ranges from a nonfiction book to a story cobbled together. It tries to tackle too much including a slavery section that I assume was added to show parallels to current times. It's just I wasn't sure what I was reading half the time. At times it went into so much depth that I was exhausted.
And yet it's an important story that just needed polishing, editing and more focus. I do want to draw attention to one tiny thing that really bothered me. I received an early release edition in order to review it and the print was so tiny that it was troublesome. I don't know if that will be a problem in the regular release books but for those who hate to read tiny print, you might want to check that out before you buy it.
March 26, 2017
As far as I can remember, this is the first time I've given a review without finishing a book, but I'm tired of the language and lack of Christian theme. I just can't escape the idea that Christ would want us to avoid language in reads. This genre even holds His name!
Thomas Nelson is an enigma as sometimes they publish tremendous Christian reads. Then other times I don't understand why they publish a book under their name since they are owned by a general fiction company. That is where this book belongs.
The book isn't bad as far as plot or writing , but I try to keep my mind and heart from such things which is why I read so much Christian Fiction.
Since putting out there about language, I've been told at times that I have lied, so I'm just giving a glimpse here.
s***pg 44, a** pg 55, d*** pg 36, 78, 82
I'm just leaving it at that.
I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion which I have given.
Thomas Nelson is an enigma as sometimes they publish tremendous Christian reads. Then other times I don't understand why they publish a book under their name since they are owned by a general fiction company. That is where this book belongs.
The book isn't bad as far as plot or writing , but I try to keep my mind and heart from such things which is why I read so much Christian Fiction.
Since putting out there about language, I've been told at times that I have lied, so I'm just giving a glimpse here.
s***pg 44, a** pg 55, d*** pg 36, 78, 82
I'm just leaving it at that.
I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion which I have given.
February 13, 2017
This is my third Corban Addison novel (I've also read A Walk Across the Sun and The Tears of Dark Water). While I didn't find this novel to be a page turner like the other two, it was incredibly informative and wove interesting story lines about a corporate attorney and a journalist.
The main point of the novel is to bring to light the poor working conditions of those creating clothes in developing countries. While this may not come as a surprise to the reader, the layers of companies or firms that exist between the actual worker and the company selling the clothes just might be new information. Specific stories of workers bring to life how the working conditions impact the workers' lives and the lives of their families.
There is some foul language in the novel, however, the occurrences are few.
I enjoyed that I expanded my vocabulary a bit with this novel and had to look up at least two words. As an example, limned means to suffuse or highlight with a bright color or light.
My gratitude to the publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to post a review.
The main point of the novel is to bring to light the poor working conditions of those creating clothes in developing countries. While this may not come as a surprise to the reader, the layers of companies or firms that exist between the actual worker and the company selling the clothes just might be new information. Specific stories of workers bring to life how the working conditions impact the workers' lives and the lives of their families.
There is some foul language in the novel, however, the occurrences are few.
I enjoyed that I expanded my vocabulary a bit with this novel and had to look up at least two words. As an example, limned means to suffuse or highlight with a bright color or light.
My gratitude to the publisher Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of the novel. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to post a review.
March 4, 2017
My favorite author at present. Have loved every book he has written because he writes on social injustice practices in the world to highlight the plight of these people. . I also love the passion he has for people and that he puts so much time and effort into researching his subjects. This book is about the conditions in lots of factories in the poorer countries where the clothes we buy which are so cheap are made. These people have faces, names, families, souls. Another five stars from me.
March 5, 2017
A Harvest of Thorns is a book that will challenge you and make you reconsider American consumerism. The book follows the aftermath of a tragedy at a foreign garment factory. It feels like a John Grisham novel as it takes you from corporate boardrooms to locations around the world and finally into a courtroom. This story is gripping and has truly made me consider the supply chain effect of where our goods come from, but all within a story that I couldn't put down.
December 21, 2016
This begins as a novel about two Friends, Vance and Cameron, who have founded a company which was launched with the promise of “Putting People First”. The company, Presto, now sells much more than clothing, including electronics, etc which are now produced overseas.
The story quickly cuts to a news story which is going viral about a fire in Bangladesh which kills and maims hundreds of workers. The picture splashed across televisions and newspapers shows a girl with a pair of pants tied as a mask over her face with the very distinct Presto label showing. While Vance is concerned about containing the story as quickly as possible in order to salvage “Black Friday” sales, Cameron is very concerned about where the company has been heading, namely into globalization where contractors and subcontractors are using sub-standard companies to produce their clothing.
Cameron decides to dig deeper and travels to Bangladesh and finds troubling facts about auditors from Presto who have allowed risky and poor work conditions, a modern kind of slavery and even human trafficking and rape to occur in the companies producing Presto products. He finds out about the girls killed and injured, meets the families and tries to help the situation as much as he can.
A year later, Josh Griswold, a somewhat disgraced former journalist, is given the tip of a lifetime about what may have happened before and after the fire in the Bangladesh company. He isn’t allowed to name the source of his tip as that person has some information that could damage Josh if released. He spends almost two years researching and documenting what has gone on.
I won’t go through more of the plot but it’s a very timely book since globalization is a reality with many American companies. It brings up tragedy, corruption and then hope that there could be justice for all involved in the production of our goods.
This book was well researched and in fact the author is an attorney. While this was, for the most part, a good thing, it did make the book very heavy with details. Details about the construction of corporations, legal and ethical concepts, etc, etc. I would have preferred less of these details and more development of the people involved in the companies. The young girls were introduced and there was discussion about and with them but in a novel, I just prefer more in depth character development. I think I would have felt even more engaged had I understood the people and their desperation for justice more, along with how they lived and loved.
A good book which should be read in a few long sittings so as not to lose the strand of the story. Also a good book club choice with lots to discuss.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, thank you.
The story quickly cuts to a news story which is going viral about a fire in Bangladesh which kills and maims hundreds of workers. The picture splashed across televisions and newspapers shows a girl with a pair of pants tied as a mask over her face with the very distinct Presto label showing. While Vance is concerned about containing the story as quickly as possible in order to salvage “Black Friday” sales, Cameron is very concerned about where the company has been heading, namely into globalization where contractors and subcontractors are using sub-standard companies to produce their clothing.
Cameron decides to dig deeper and travels to Bangladesh and finds troubling facts about auditors from Presto who have allowed risky and poor work conditions, a modern kind of slavery and even human trafficking and rape to occur in the companies producing Presto products. He finds out about the girls killed and injured, meets the families and tries to help the situation as much as he can.
A year later, Josh Griswold, a somewhat disgraced former journalist, is given the tip of a lifetime about what may have happened before and after the fire in the Bangladesh company. He isn’t allowed to name the source of his tip as that person has some information that could damage Josh if released. He spends almost two years researching and documenting what has gone on.
I won’t go through more of the plot but it’s a very timely book since globalization is a reality with many American companies. It brings up tragedy, corruption and then hope that there could be justice for all involved in the production of our goods.
This book was well researched and in fact the author is an attorney. While this was, for the most part, a good thing, it did make the book very heavy with details. Details about the construction of corporations, legal and ethical concepts, etc, etc. I would have preferred less of these details and more development of the people involved in the companies. The young girls were introduced and there was discussion about and with them but in a novel, I just prefer more in depth character development. I think I would have felt even more engaged had I understood the people and their desperation for justice more, along with how they lived and loved.
A good book which should be read in a few long sittings so as not to lose the strand of the story. Also a good book club choice with lots to discuss.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley, thank you.
February 5, 2017
An interesting well-researched story about globalization and the fashion industry. The characters were very well described here. Writing was mediocre. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
February 6, 2017
An exposé of the fashion industry set in USA, Bangladesh and Malaysia and more...
This review first appeared on our blog, where we also talk to Addison about his research for locale:
http://www.tripfiction.com/slow-burni...
I first came across Corban Addison when we reviewed The Garden of Burning Sand and A Walk Across the Sun. These novels have stuck with me to this day. Essentially it was the passion and quality of his writing that dug deep. And once again – in this novel – he has taken on a huge subject. In A Harvest of Thorns he tackles injustice, the big conglomerates at the sharp end of the fashion industry versus the poor and displaced of the world. This is the kind of book that can change your thinking and the way in which you view of the world.
Presto is the largest retailer in the States for clothing, ranging from the cheaper end – Piccolo – to more upmarket styles in the Porto Bari range. It is a beloved brand for the American people. “The story of Presto was a legend in American business“. Originally established in the 1960s with the welfare in mind of both workers and buyers of the goods, the founders went to great lengths to ensure that theirs was not an exploitative supply chain. They chose ‘warm and feel-good’ names for the brands, borrowed from the Italian, to give a sense of family, love and of the culturally exotic. But as the years have passed, the shareholders have become increasingly demanding of greater dividends, and the company is pitted against ruthless competition where cost cutting and low prices are fundamental. “quality…at an unbeatable price. That’s the holy grail of retail.” It seems the company has swung away from the ideals of the forefathers and moved towards the bottom line, focussing more on the phenomenal profit margins.
But this change comes at a cost as Presto is soon to find out….
The book opens with a fire in Bangladesh, at Millennium Fashions, a garment factory, where many hundreds of the workers have been killed. Only three fire extinguishers for a 1000 workers! This company – once used by Presto – is now blacklisted (or on their “red” list as they classify it). So, how come there is a photo of a child, dead at the scene, with a pair of children’s trousers draped over her face, the Presto company insignia “P” only too clearly visible? The photo has instantly gone viral. There is a tsunami of negative publicity building and Cameron, the head lawyer of the company, takes on the onus of unravelling the supply chain issues. It is damage limitation whilst an investigation ensues into corruption and blame. And for him it is also about humanitarian concerns. He also has to manage the enmity between sourcing and compliance, no mean feat.
The author is incredibly adept at developing a core story and then feeding in the personal stories of his characters to enhance the narrative. Cameron has a tragic backstory that makes his determination to right the wrongs all that more understandable. The writing feels very real and it is often very sobering in its content. He is informative too, who know that “...the production of textiles was one of the most prolific sources of water pollution the world”?
I think of the author in terms of John Grisham “light”. I find Grisham’s stories at times hard to penetrate, and so Addison’s storylines feel that much more accessible. They are set in a real world where there is dreadful exploitation and injustice. He is an author who will take up a cause and bring it to a wider audience with great panache. An author with a social conscience. Having read this novel we will all surely think more carefully about the origin of our clothing? If this book is anything to go by, it behoves us to do so!
The locations in the novel feel credible too, whether dining in Old Ebbit Grill near The White House in Washington or Izumi in Dhaka, he manages to create a colourful and absorbing backdrop.
Recommended.
This review first appeared on our blog, where we also talk to Addison about his research for locale:
http://www.tripfiction.com/slow-burni...
I first came across Corban Addison when we reviewed The Garden of Burning Sand and A Walk Across the Sun. These novels have stuck with me to this day. Essentially it was the passion and quality of his writing that dug deep. And once again – in this novel – he has taken on a huge subject. In A Harvest of Thorns he tackles injustice, the big conglomerates at the sharp end of the fashion industry versus the poor and displaced of the world. This is the kind of book that can change your thinking and the way in which you view of the world.
Presto is the largest retailer in the States for clothing, ranging from the cheaper end – Piccolo – to more upmarket styles in the Porto Bari range. It is a beloved brand for the American people. “The story of Presto was a legend in American business“. Originally established in the 1960s with the welfare in mind of both workers and buyers of the goods, the founders went to great lengths to ensure that theirs was not an exploitative supply chain. They chose ‘warm and feel-good’ names for the brands, borrowed from the Italian, to give a sense of family, love and of the culturally exotic. But as the years have passed, the shareholders have become increasingly demanding of greater dividends, and the company is pitted against ruthless competition where cost cutting and low prices are fundamental. “quality…at an unbeatable price. That’s the holy grail of retail.” It seems the company has swung away from the ideals of the forefathers and moved towards the bottom line, focussing more on the phenomenal profit margins.
But this change comes at a cost as Presto is soon to find out….
The book opens with a fire in Bangladesh, at Millennium Fashions, a garment factory, where many hundreds of the workers have been killed. Only three fire extinguishers for a 1000 workers! This company – once used by Presto – is now blacklisted (or on their “red” list as they classify it). So, how come there is a photo of a child, dead at the scene, with a pair of children’s trousers draped over her face, the Presto company insignia “P” only too clearly visible? The photo has instantly gone viral. There is a tsunami of negative publicity building and Cameron, the head lawyer of the company, takes on the onus of unravelling the supply chain issues. It is damage limitation whilst an investigation ensues into corruption and blame. And for him it is also about humanitarian concerns. He also has to manage the enmity between sourcing and compliance, no mean feat.
The author is incredibly adept at developing a core story and then feeding in the personal stories of his characters to enhance the narrative. Cameron has a tragic backstory that makes his determination to right the wrongs all that more understandable. The writing feels very real and it is often very sobering in its content. He is informative too, who know that “...the production of textiles was one of the most prolific sources of water pollution the world”?
I think of the author in terms of John Grisham “light”. I find Grisham’s stories at times hard to penetrate, and so Addison’s storylines feel that much more accessible. They are set in a real world where there is dreadful exploitation and injustice. He is an author who will take up a cause and bring it to a wider audience with great panache. An author with a social conscience. Having read this novel we will all surely think more carefully about the origin of our clothing? If this book is anything to go by, it behoves us to do so!
The locations in the novel feel credible too, whether dining in Old Ebbit Grill near The White House in Washington or Izumi in Dhaka, he manages to create a colourful and absorbing backdrop.
Recommended.
November 2, 2019
,,Svet je málokedy ochotný zaplatiť cenu pravdy.“
Žijeme v konzumnej spoločnosti a je úplne zbytočné to popierať. Vy všetci, rovnako ako aj ja, sa nezaujímame o to, odkiaľ pochádza tovar, ktorý kupujeme, netrápia nás pracovné podmienky, za ktorých k ich výrobe dochádza. Chceme kvalitu za čo najnižšiu cenu a iné nás nezaujíma. A práve Tŕnistá cesta poukazuje na tento problém, túto pravdu.
Na začiatku knihy sme svedkami požiaru v textilnej fabrike Millenium, pri ktorej zahynie obrovské množstvo zamestnancov a ešte väčšie množstvo je zranených. A postoj firmy, ktorá si objednala tovar? Čo najrýchlejšie to ututlať, aby finančné straty boli čo najmenšie. Postupne nám autor predostiera aj ďalšie tragédie a krivdy, ktoré sa vo svete dejú. Vykorisťovanie zamestnancov a otrocká práca nie sú ani v dnešnom svete výnimočné, najmä v rozvojových krajinách. A práve v týchto krajinách sa vyrába väčšina výrobkov, ktoré nakupujeme.
Autor nám na jednej strane ukazuje firmu, ktorá sa snaží problém skôr zakryť, ako vyriešiť. Na strane druhej nám ukazuje novinára Josha, ktorý postupne odhaľuje tieto nepráva a snaží sa získať dostatok dôkazov, aby mohol firmu žalovať.
Aj keď má kniha 400 strán, čítala som ju nesmierne dlho, a to kvôli tomu, že autor je právnik a častokrát som sa strácala v oblasti amerického obchodného práca, vo svete korporácií, zadávania zákaziek, správnej rady a podobne. Ale nepopierateľne je to kniha, ktorá ma prinútila zamyslieť sa nad tým, odkiaľ pochádza tovar, ktorý tak nadšene nakupujem, kto sú ľudia, ktorí ich vyrábajú a aké sú podmienky v továrňach, kto tovar vzniká.
Žijeme v konzumnej spoločnosti a je úplne zbytočné to popierať. Vy všetci, rovnako ako aj ja, sa nezaujímame o to, odkiaľ pochádza tovar, ktorý kupujeme, netrápia nás pracovné podmienky, za ktorých k ich výrobe dochádza. Chceme kvalitu za čo najnižšiu cenu a iné nás nezaujíma. A práve Tŕnistá cesta poukazuje na tento problém, túto pravdu.
Na začiatku knihy sme svedkami požiaru v textilnej fabrike Millenium, pri ktorej zahynie obrovské množstvo zamestnancov a ešte väčšie množstvo je zranených. A postoj firmy, ktorá si objednala tovar? Čo najrýchlejšie to ututlať, aby finančné straty boli čo najmenšie. Postupne nám autor predostiera aj ďalšie tragédie a krivdy, ktoré sa vo svete dejú. Vykorisťovanie zamestnancov a otrocká práca nie sú ani v dnešnom svete výnimočné, najmä v rozvojových krajinách. A práve v týchto krajinách sa vyrába väčšina výrobkov, ktoré nakupujeme.
Autor nám na jednej strane ukazuje firmu, ktorá sa snaží problém skôr zakryť, ako vyriešiť. Na strane druhej nám ukazuje novinára Josha, ktorý postupne odhaľuje tieto nepráva a snaží sa získať dostatok dôkazov, aby mohol firmu žalovať.
Aj keď má kniha 400 strán, čítala som ju nesmierne dlho, a to kvôli tomu, že autor je právnik a častokrát som sa strácala v oblasti amerického obchodného práca, vo svete korporácií, zadávania zákaziek, správnej rady a podobne. Ale nepopierateľne je to kniha, ktorá ma prinútila zamyslieť sa nad tým, odkiaľ pochádza tovar, ktorý tak nadšene nakupujem, kto sú ľudia, ktorí ich vyrábajú a aké sú podmienky v továrňach, kto tovar vzniká.
April 1, 2017
"Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream." - the prophet Amos
"A Harvest of Thorns" is a startling fictional expose of the garment industry from a very primal level, forcing the eye of the consumer to focus on those who will never wear the fashionable clothing they toil to manufacture; in fact, some scarcely have the privilege to exist. Forced to work in deplorable conditions, with little security against the advances of their employers, or barely enough freedoms to be considered anything but slaves, the story begins with an inferno that completely destroys a Bangladesh factory and like a mighty river, the repercussions carve their way back to a multi-billion dollar enterprise in the United States.
Bonded by anonymity are two key players; a brilliant corporate lawyer who is determined to not only follow the law, but to exact moral justice, and an award laden news journalist who has traveled the world in order to expose earth shattering stories. The end result is not only an extraordinary story, but one that will prompt every reader to read the labels in their clothing and wonder, "was it worth a harvest of thorns"?
Clearly written with a general market reader audience in mind, the occasional expletives and references to brutal assaults are well within the range of characterization and setting, though no less unsettling. Epic in length and weighted with considerable legal platitudes; what could be distracting in most cases, simply adds to the intrinsic value of this remarkable novel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
"A Harvest of Thorns" is a startling fictional expose of the garment industry from a very primal level, forcing the eye of the consumer to focus on those who will never wear the fashionable clothing they toil to manufacture; in fact, some scarcely have the privilege to exist. Forced to work in deplorable conditions, with little security against the advances of their employers, or barely enough freedoms to be considered anything but slaves, the story begins with an inferno that completely destroys a Bangladesh factory and like a mighty river, the repercussions carve their way back to a multi-billion dollar enterprise in the United States.
Bonded by anonymity are two key players; a brilliant corporate lawyer who is determined to not only follow the law, but to exact moral justice, and an award laden news journalist who has traveled the world in order to expose earth shattering stories. The end result is not only an extraordinary story, but one that will prompt every reader to read the labels in their clothing and wonder, "was it worth a harvest of thorns"?
Clearly written with a general market reader audience in mind, the occasional expletives and references to brutal assaults are well within the range of characterization and setting, though no less unsettling. Epic in length and weighted with considerable legal platitudes; what could be distracting in most cases, simply adds to the intrinsic value of this remarkable novel.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
April 22, 2017
I am loath to call this book entertaining because I know how real is the tragedy. This story is challenging and infuriating and frustrating and inspiring and uplifting and heartwarming and ultimately gratifying. Just like the average human being. Which is likely why I identified with and cringed at so many of the emotions this novel elicited in me.
There are clear and important messages here:
All is rarely as it seems, despite how obvious a situation appears to be.
A good man is capable of hiding deep transgressions.
A bad man is capable of introspection and reform.
If we look closely enough, guilt often rests on many shoulders, but it is usually and almost casually assigned to the last one it touches.
The media informs, but it is my responsibility to remain objective and questioning.
My ignorance does not give me carte blanche to not care.
I reserve 5-star ratings for books I would happily read again. I will recommend it heartily, but I will not reread it.
There are clear and important messages here:
All is rarely as it seems, despite how obvious a situation appears to be.
A good man is capable of hiding deep transgressions.
A bad man is capable of introspection and reform.
If we look closely enough, guilt often rests on many shoulders, but it is usually and almost casually assigned to the last one it touches.
The media informs, but it is my responsibility to remain objective and questioning.
My ignorance does not give me carte blanche to not care.
I reserve 5-star ratings for books I would happily read again. I will recommend it heartily, but I will not reread it.
September 25, 2018
A fire destroys Millenium's garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Hundreds of workers perish. A young girl named Sonia lies in the rubble with a pair of children's trousers masking her face. It bears a label of Presto Omnishops Corporation. The press capture her photograph and it goes viral around the globe.
Cameron Alexander is the chief lawyer with Presto and is tasked with launching an internal investigation. It appears that Millenium was on the company's red list, and should not have been manufacturing garments for Presto, one of America's largest retailers.
Meanwhile a "whistle blower" meets with award winning but disgraced former journalist Joshua Griswold. He too becomes determined to uncover the truth.
The author takes the reader on a journey from Virginia to Malaysia, Bangladesh and Jordan... and uncovers the harsh realities of poor working conditions and slavery in the global supply chain.
Cameron Alexander is the chief lawyer with Presto and is tasked with launching an internal investigation. It appears that Millenium was on the company's red list, and should not have been manufacturing garments for Presto, one of America's largest retailers.
Meanwhile a "whistle blower" meets with award winning but disgraced former journalist Joshua Griswold. He too becomes determined to uncover the truth.
The author takes the reader on a journey from Virginia to Malaysia, Bangladesh and Jordan... and uncovers the harsh realities of poor working conditions and slavery in the global supply chain.
May 27, 2025
This is the 4th book I have read by this author and loved every one of them. He touches on subject matters that touch on human kind.
This one is about the sweat shops in other countries. But in telling the story you have the main characters who want to right the wrongs.
Loved the story, loved the characters especially and loved how this author puts the story together. This could be a movie.
Highly recommended!
This one is about the sweat shops in other countries. But in telling the story you have the main characters who want to right the wrongs.
Loved the story, loved the characters especially and loved how this author puts the story together. This could be a movie.
Highly recommended!
March 12, 2017
Only Corban Addison can write about social injustices that makes you feel empathetic toward both the victims and the perpetrators. He does an incredible job of giving each person involved a fully formed character.
This particular story talks about a company, similar to Amazon, that uses suppliers around the world to produce their clothes. When a fire breaks out, taking the lives of many workers, the CEO and general counsel are left to figure out what happened so their sales don't do a nosedive.
If you have any interest in writers like Nadia Hashimi and Khalid Hosseini or if you are interested in documentaries about social injustice or business practices, I recommend picking this book up. I cannot wait to see what he will choose as his next subject matter. It's obvious the amount of research he puts in to his fiction.
This particular story talks about a company, similar to Amazon, that uses suppliers around the world to produce their clothes. When a fire breaks out, taking the lives of many workers, the CEO and general counsel are left to figure out what happened so their sales don't do a nosedive.
If you have any interest in writers like Nadia Hashimi and Khalid Hosseini or if you are interested in documentaries about social injustice or business practices, I recommend picking this book up. I cannot wait to see what he will choose as his next subject matter. It's obvious the amount of research he puts in to his fiction.
October 11, 2024
Túto knihu rozhodne nečítajte, ak chcete ešte niekedy bez výčitiek vstúpiť do nejakého fast fashion obchodu, ktorých sú plné obchodné centrá. Rozpráva brutálny, krvavý príbeh toho, ako môžeme nakupovať napríklad detské tepláky za 5 Eur, či dámske šaty za dvacku.
V textilnej továrni v Bangladéši vypukne požiar. Keďže budova nemá žiadne protipožiarne opatrenia, polovica zamestnancov zomrie v ohni a dyme, alebo pri zúfalej snahe zachrániť sa vyskočením z okna. Do sveta unikne pár fotiek, ktoré továreň spájajú s jednou z veľkých amerických značiek, čo samozrejme môže výrazne zatriasť jej popularitou a hodnotou jej akcií na finančných trhoch. Ako je to ale možné, že táto továreň vyrábala oblečenie tejto značky? Veď oni majú sieť dodávateľov, ktorí spĺňajú prísne bezpečnostné a ľudskoprávne opatrenia, a tých pravidelne kontrolujú…
Postupne sa rozpletá príbeh plný nekalých taktík, prižmúrených očí, korupcie, absolútnej biedy, otroctva a nútenej práce. Keď však človek pochopí súvislosti, pochopí, že je to začarovaný kruh, z ktorého nie je vôbec jednoduché vystúpiť. Lebo konkurencia. Lebo zákazníci. Lebo my všetci vo vyspelom materiálnom svete založenom na extrémnom konzume.
Nesmierne silná a bolestivá kniha. Miestami sa v závere trochu moc snažil autor nasadiť ružové okuliare, ale inak už dávno kniha vo mne nezanechala tak hlboký pocit, že niečo treba robiť. A ideálne včera.
V textilnej továrni v Bangladéši vypukne požiar. Keďže budova nemá žiadne protipožiarne opatrenia, polovica zamestnancov zomrie v ohni a dyme, alebo pri zúfalej snahe zachrániť sa vyskočením z okna. Do sveta unikne pár fotiek, ktoré továreň spájajú s jednou z veľkých amerických značiek, čo samozrejme môže výrazne zatriasť jej popularitou a hodnotou jej akcií na finančných trhoch. Ako je to ale možné, že táto továreň vyrábala oblečenie tejto značky? Veď oni majú sieť dodávateľov, ktorí spĺňajú prísne bezpečnostné a ľudskoprávne opatrenia, a tých pravidelne kontrolujú…
Postupne sa rozpletá príbeh plný nekalých taktík, prižmúrených očí, korupcie, absolútnej biedy, otroctva a nútenej práce. Keď však človek pochopí súvislosti, pochopí, že je to začarovaný kruh, z ktorého nie je vôbec jednoduché vystúpiť. Lebo konkurencia. Lebo zákazníci. Lebo my všetci vo vyspelom materiálnom svete založenom na extrémnom konzume.
Nesmierne silná a bolestivá kniha. Miestami sa v závere trochu moc snažil autor nasadiť ružové okuliare, ale inak už dávno kniha vo mne nezanechala tak hlboký pocit, že niečo treba robiť. A ideálne včera.
February 16, 2017
A Riveting Story Exposes Abuses in the Fashion Industry
Over two-hundred people are killed in a terrible fire in a clothing factor in Bangladesh. Cameron Alexander, General Council of the Presto Corporation, is upset by the horror of the fire, but when he sees a young girl lying on the ground with a pair of pants covering her face, pants that were destined for Presto stores, he knows there’s trouble ahead.
The pants were being manufactured in a factory that Presto’s supply chain was not supposed to use. At first Cameron thinks his company is in the clear, but as he begins to explore the company’s supply chains, he realizes that something is dreadfully wrong. Something he must act on to preserve the corporation.
This book is a novel, but it also exposes the abuses in clothing factories in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Jordan. The story is interesting. Cameron is a driven character who tries to act for the best, but finds that he must cross lines that could lead to serious consequences for himself and for Presto.
The exposure of working conditions in third world countries is very well done. The novel keeps you reading, but the investigation of the clothing industry is the most interesting part of the book. It is almost as if the novel was written for the purpose of exposing the dreadful working conditions.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it if you enjoy a good story with believable characters. The descriptions of the terrible conditions in the factories that produce our clothing are sobering. It’s good to know what is happening to the people who produce our luxuries.
I received this book from Booklook Bloggers for this review.
Over two-hundred people are killed in a terrible fire in a clothing factor in Bangladesh. Cameron Alexander, General Council of the Presto Corporation, is upset by the horror of the fire, but when he sees a young girl lying on the ground with a pair of pants covering her face, pants that were destined for Presto stores, he knows there’s trouble ahead.
The pants were being manufactured in a factory that Presto’s supply chain was not supposed to use. At first Cameron thinks his company is in the clear, but as he begins to explore the company’s supply chains, he realizes that something is dreadfully wrong. Something he must act on to preserve the corporation.
This book is a novel, but it also exposes the abuses in clothing factories in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Jordan. The story is interesting. Cameron is a driven character who tries to act for the best, but finds that he must cross lines that could lead to serious consequences for himself and for Presto.
The exposure of working conditions in third world countries is very well done. The novel keeps you reading, but the investigation of the clothing industry is the most interesting part of the book. It is almost as if the novel was written for the purpose of exposing the dreadful working conditions.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it if you enjoy a good story with believable characters. The descriptions of the terrible conditions in the factories that produce our clothing are sobering. It’s good to know what is happening to the people who produce our luxuries.
I received this book from Booklook Bloggers for this review.
November 10, 2020
This is my fourth 5 star rating for Addison. His exquisite and compassionate fictionalizations of the great inequities between the privileged and destitute uncover both our pandemic inequalities and the anguish that besets any class, rich or poor, navigating the road of life. Who knows if goodness can truly triumph? But this so well researched work gives us hope. One of the rare reads that moved me to tears. What a great author!!
August 24, 2016
A story about tragedy, corruption, and a hope for justice. The author really did their research and it shows. There a few places that felt a little disjointed and I had to read passages over again to try to understand a plot point that seemed to just appear but on the whole it was well laid out and evoked a lot of emotion about the consumer world we all live in.
August 16, 2017
Great plot and execution but seemed mansplainy, no other word for it. The female characters were ridiculous.
April 16, 2017
With a powerful beginning I knew this book was going to be an emotionally charged story. It is gritty and messy with details that can shock people at times. We know things go on in factories all over the world that are unfair , yet we turn the other way and refuse to address it. That is until the world is stunned by a picture that captures the utter inhumane treatment of workers in a factory far from the United Stated. I loved this book because the author is not afraid to tackle a subject that is deplorable and sickening to see. Is it worth buying clothes from a company at the cost of a human life?
With every big company comes power and sometimes greed. Some of the bigwigs ignore the rules in order to make more money. When Cameron was first introduced I wasn't sure if I liked him or not. Would he do the right thing and make workers feel safe? The horrors that take place in one of the company's factories made me cry. To think that a young woman must do the unthinkable to keep her job is so disheartening. From the back streets there is human trafficking, rape and so much underhanded money deals that makes the story jump off the pages. Perhaps some of the language was a bit unsettling but I think for this type of story it was a realistic view of what really goes on.
I appreciate that the author doesn't sugarcoat anything, but goes full force into the world of big corporation vs the deplorable treatment of humans. Josh is a journalist who has a story that can take down many people , but can he do it without putting himself in danger? In the courtroom the story will put that fear on some and others will scream for justice. Who will win? Will the real traitor stand up and take punishment? Can the judicial system give the plaintiffs cause to celebrate? The writing is aggressive and takes us all over the world to expose the men and women who are greedy enough to sacrifice lives to get ahead. What will be the final verdict? Grab a copy and find out who will be the victor in this action packed thriller.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my honest opinion.
With every big company comes power and sometimes greed. Some of the bigwigs ignore the rules in order to make more money. When Cameron was first introduced I wasn't sure if I liked him or not. Would he do the right thing and make workers feel safe? The horrors that take place in one of the company's factories made me cry. To think that a young woman must do the unthinkable to keep her job is so disheartening. From the back streets there is human trafficking, rape and so much underhanded money deals that makes the story jump off the pages. Perhaps some of the language was a bit unsettling but I think for this type of story it was a realistic view of what really goes on.
I appreciate that the author doesn't sugarcoat anything, but goes full force into the world of big corporation vs the deplorable treatment of humans. Josh is a journalist who has a story that can take down many people , but can he do it without putting himself in danger? In the courtroom the story will put that fear on some and others will scream for justice. Who will win? Will the real traitor stand up and take punishment? Can the judicial system give the plaintiffs cause to celebrate? The writing is aggressive and takes us all over the world to expose the men and women who are greedy enough to sacrifice lives to get ahead. What will be the final verdict? Grab a copy and find out who will be the victor in this action packed thriller.
I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild. The review is my honest opinion.
July 7, 2017
Do we really know where and under which conditions our clothes are made? Do we even question ourselves….I admit to simply look at labels to see where it is made and that is the limit of my curiosity till now. After reading Mr. Addison latest novel where he takes us on a journey tracking a brand of clothing across the world I may think twice before purchasing my clothes in the future but again rarely do I see clothes made in my country reasonably priced so what choice do I have?….. Based on real-life events, this fiction begins with a fire in a clothing factory in Bangladesh and follows a large American company's reaction. It also addresses the reality of sweat shops, slave labor and the rights of workers in developing countries.
The chapters alternate from the perspective of Cameron Alexander, general counsel for the company (Presto) and those of Josh Griswold, a disgrace journalist as they dig deep into the many issues in front of them. As the story moves on, we have some very emotional chapters told through the eyes of people working in factories. The narrative voices are thorough and intellectual, complete with refine vocabulary. With firsthand knowledge of law and journalistic inside we find a plot that flows smoothly and is well- informed. At its heart “A Harvest of Thorns” is a story of two men fighting for what they believe is right and decent while fighting an inner turmoil that is shaking their lives…
After long hours of research, Mr. Addison has created a thought-provoking story where he goes into fine details about the fire and how the people made their fateful decision to break through windows. ”A Harvest of Thorns” was inspired by the 2012 Tazreen fashions factory fire in Bangladesh where more than a 100 workers died and more than 200 were injured.
Mr. Corban, an attorney and human right activist uses fiction to explore social justice themes. In the past he has touched the international sex trade in “A Walk Across the Sun”, the lawless coast of Somalia in “The Tears of Dark Water” and in “The Garden of Burning Sands” the epidemic of child sexual assault in Zambia.
All his stories are eye opening and very captivating.
The chapters alternate from the perspective of Cameron Alexander, general counsel for the company (Presto) and those of Josh Griswold, a disgrace journalist as they dig deep into the many issues in front of them. As the story moves on, we have some very emotional chapters told through the eyes of people working in factories. The narrative voices are thorough and intellectual, complete with refine vocabulary. With firsthand knowledge of law and journalistic inside we find a plot that flows smoothly and is well- informed. At its heart “A Harvest of Thorns” is a story of two men fighting for what they believe is right and decent while fighting an inner turmoil that is shaking their lives…
After long hours of research, Mr. Addison has created a thought-provoking story where he goes into fine details about the fire and how the people made their fateful decision to break through windows. ”A Harvest of Thorns” was inspired by the 2012 Tazreen fashions factory fire in Bangladesh where more than a 100 workers died and more than 200 were injured.
Mr. Corban, an attorney and human right activist uses fiction to explore social justice themes. In the past he has touched the international sex trade in “A Walk Across the Sun”, the lawless coast of Somalia in “The Tears of Dark Water” and in “The Garden of Burning Sands” the epidemic of child sexual assault in Zambia.
All his stories are eye opening and very captivating.
January 31, 2017
A Harvest of Thorns
by Corban Addison
Rating 4.5..
A beloved American corporation with an explosive secret.
A disgraced former journalist looking for redemption.
A corporate executive with nothing left to lose.
(from the book description)
The story begins in the corporate offices of Presto. From there it hopscotches through Asia and the Middle East leTaving a farflung trail. The chapters are headed by date and location so it is imperative that you pay attention to these chapter headings otherwise you will get terribly lost. The story itself is full of background investigative stories and courtroom drama which was both interesting and disturbing at the same time. The writing is well done, the research superb and the characters are believable, albeit, flawed but they are believable. The ending I think will surprise you. I know I was surprised….
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I started reading this book. Little did I know. I was totally unprepared for this story to unfold before my eyes as I read each and every word on every single page. The imagery was so vivid that I couldn’t stop reading and yet …and yet I didn’t want to know. Yes, it is fiction; but it is loosely based on facts, real clothing corporations and people giving their lives for barely enough to sustain themselves with food to eat, clothing to wear, basic shelter to live and above all, be able to send money back home…wherever home may have been. All of this so we can have something to buy and to wear and companies make enough profits for their shareholders. No one sees what is behind this paper facade as long as the money keeps rolling in. Other books come to mind that tell of past social injustices such as The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and another not nearly quite as well known, Counting Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop. What is moving is the Author’s Note at the end of the book. READ IT. DO NOT SKIP IT.
I have received an electronic copy of A Harvest of Thorns from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shaped or influenced my opinion of the book. I would like to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this opportunity,
by Corban Addison
Rating 4.5..
A beloved American corporation with an explosive secret.
A disgraced former journalist looking for redemption.
A corporate executive with nothing left to lose.
(from the book description)
The story begins in the corporate offices of Presto. From there it hopscotches through Asia and the Middle East leTaving a farflung trail. The chapters are headed by date and location so it is imperative that you pay attention to these chapter headings otherwise you will get terribly lost. The story itself is full of background investigative stories and courtroom drama which was both interesting and disturbing at the same time. The writing is well done, the research superb and the characters are believable, albeit, flawed but they are believable. The ending I think will surprise you. I know I was surprised….
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I started reading this book. Little did I know. I was totally unprepared for this story to unfold before my eyes as I read each and every word on every single page. The imagery was so vivid that I couldn’t stop reading and yet …and yet I didn’t want to know. Yes, it is fiction; but it is loosely based on facts, real clothing corporations and people giving their lives for barely enough to sustain themselves with food to eat, clothing to wear, basic shelter to live and above all, be able to send money back home…wherever home may have been. All of this so we can have something to buy and to wear and companies make enough profits for their shareholders. No one sees what is behind this paper facade as long as the money keeps rolling in. Other books come to mind that tell of past social injustices such as The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and another not nearly quite as well known, Counting Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop. What is moving is the Author’s Note at the end of the book. READ IT. DO NOT SKIP IT.
I have received an electronic copy of A Harvest of Thorns from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shaped or influenced my opinion of the book. I would like to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this opportunity,
September 8, 2020
I heard about this book in a podcast I was listening to on sustainable fashion and it immediately sparked my interest. The book is fiction but Addison’s notes make it clear that the way it depicts the inner workings of the global fashion industry is very much informed by real dynamics and conditions in Bangladesh, Malaysia and Jordan.
Addison’s background in law and journalism is evident in the manner he constructed the storyline and dialogues. While the insightful writing and moral discussions between characters certainly benefited from Addison’s background, I felt that the character developments were a bit too ‘economical’ and could certainly have been enhanced by more elaboration. This, in a way is a praise for the book as well because I cared about some of the characters so much that I wanted to see more depth to their stories.
The jumping timeline was also somewhat distracting - if it weren’t for the time stamps at the beginning of every chapter, it would have been difficult to navigate the unfolding of events especially as they were told from multiple viewpoints.
All minor criticism aside, I’ve very much enjoyed this book and I’d recommend it if you’re interested in the fashion industry and corporate politics. It is true what Livia Firth said in her praise for this book that “it uncovers what lies behind what we wear every single day” and that “you will never be able to look at your clothes the same way again.”
Addison’s background in law and journalism is evident in the manner he constructed the storyline and dialogues. While the insightful writing and moral discussions between characters certainly benefited from Addison’s background, I felt that the character developments were a bit too ‘economical’ and could certainly have been enhanced by more elaboration. This, in a way is a praise for the book as well because I cared about some of the characters so much that I wanted to see more depth to their stories.
The jumping timeline was also somewhat distracting - if it weren’t for the time stamps at the beginning of every chapter, it would have been difficult to navigate the unfolding of events especially as they were told from multiple viewpoints.
All minor criticism aside, I’ve very much enjoyed this book and I’d recommend it if you’re interested in the fashion industry and corporate politics. It is true what Livia Firth said in her praise for this book that “it uncovers what lies behind what we wear every single day” and that “you will never be able to look at your clothes the same way again.”
October 1, 2020
A Harvest of Thorns is a well-written, interesting book dealing with an investigation into garment factories in Bangladesh. The book starts with a fire in a factory in Dhaka where many people are killed or injured including a 14 year old girl who jumps from a window. It will make you think twice about who is sewing the clothing you purchase! I rated A Harvest of Thorns low because I purchased it as a Christian book, published by a Christian publishing company, from a Christian book distributor but the book contains cursing, crude language and has no mention of God or Christianity. If I had purchased A Harvest of Thorns as a secular book, it would have been fine. I was very disappointed in the content of what was marketed as a Christian book.
April 24, 2017
This was quite the exciting story. Corporate intrigue, journalistic investigations, greed, redemption, death, justice, and so many other things all wrapped up into a very nice package. Based loosely on a true court case, we start at the beginning, with a horrible 'accident' that should have never happened.
We follow the investigation of journalist Joshua Griswold as he learns to navigate the tricky waters of several foreign countries. With rules drastically different than the US - bribes, favors, and flat out lies are the best way for him to get information. As Joshua uncovers more and more of what really goes on in the garment factories, a sad story of greed unfolds.
I found this story to be incredibly fascinating. The culture and people shown were brought to life on every page, and there was just enough revealed at every turn to keep me wanting to know more. There were some personal moments woven into the story, and I'm not sure if they were my favorites. While they gave opportunities to learn more about Joshua and the others, they probably my least favorite parts of the story.
With an interesting resolution, one that I didn't quite see coming, and an unexpected hero, A Harvest of Thorns was a great story.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**
We follow the investigation of journalist Joshua Griswold as he learns to navigate the tricky waters of several foreign countries. With rules drastically different than the US - bribes, favors, and flat out lies are the best way for him to get information. As Joshua uncovers more and more of what really goes on in the garment factories, a sad story of greed unfolds.
I found this story to be incredibly fascinating. The culture and people shown were brought to life on every page, and there was just enough revealed at every turn to keep me wanting to know more. There were some personal moments woven into the story, and I'm not sure if they were my favorites. While they gave opportunities to learn more about Joshua and the others, they probably my least favorite parts of the story.
With an interesting resolution, one that I didn't quite see coming, and an unexpected hero, A Harvest of Thorns was a great story.
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**
March 30, 2018
This is a better than average thriller about the dark underbelly of capitalism -in this case the retail world-and the high price paid by many workers in the Third World who endure horrendous conditions so that people in the West can buy clothes at cheap prices. No wonder globalization has its detractors. Reading this book made me want to check where my own clothes come from and lo and behold many were from the very countries where a lack of transparency and real oversight have led to many abuses, many of which have still not been addressed.
April 18, 2017
This is one of the few times when I won't focus on the actual nuts and bolts of an author's writing, and focus on the content. I have to say, I have never really thought much about the clothes I wear, the people who made them or the conditions in which they worked. This book has, if nothing else, opened my eyes to the horrific, inhumane conditions that many of the workers endure, just so I can buy a cheap pair of pants. For that alone, I highly recommend this book to friends and family.
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