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Price's Price
Stanley Price has dreamt since childhood of exploring the world. But, when the army posts him to Hong Kong in the 1960s, this officer, scoundrel and rake falls for the glamour, the girls and the gung-ho attitude. Swept along and seduced by this free-wheeling city, he is sucked into a delightful vortex of beer, women and bribes. His dreams remain ever-present but out of reach. Until, that is, he falls for a young lady who could be his redemption – or his nemesis.
"A fun and stylish tale of the life and loves of an ex-pat struggling to discover if all really is fair in love, war and business in the Hong Kong of the seventies and eighties." - Lawrence Gray, Screenwriter, Director and Novelist.
"A fun and stylish tale of the life and loves of an ex-pat struggling to discover if all really is fair in love, war and business in the Hong Kong of the seventies and eighties." - Lawrence Gray, Screenwriter, Director and Novelist.
- GenresHistorical
260 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2021
4 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Chris Maden
6 books15 followers--- Sorry to the Goodreads Readers to whom I gave away Price's Price. The books were mailed from Hong Kong in August and many remain stuck outside LA Port due to current supply chain issues There's nothing I can do, but please bear with me.---
I had a nomadic upbringing between the UK and US, left home at 17 and, after enrolling in (I was too busy drinking to be said to have attended) university, and a couple of years' drudgery, set off to explore the world.
Hong Kong ended up being my home, but I have lived in most countries in South East Asia and a few in the Middle East and consider myself a citizen of the world.
Writing does not come easily to me, but it is the only way I've found to make sense of the world, and the only activity which is wholly immersive - I'm both cursed and blessed with a passion for something I'm not very good at.
I had a nomadic upbringing between the UK and US, left home at 17 and, after enrolling in (I was too busy drinking to be said to have attended) university, and a couple of years' drudgery, set off to explore the world.
Hong Kong ended up being my home, but I have lived in most countries in South East Asia and a few in the Middle East and consider myself a citizen of the world.
Writing does not come easily to me, but it is the only way I've found to make sense of the world, and the only activity which is wholly immersive - I'm both cursed and blessed with a passion for something I'm not very good at.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 18, 2022
My review is on my website https://bookread2day.wordpress.com/20...
Price’s Price is expertly written. It has the vibes of the army, with drinking beer and meeting women.
The author has gained his own status in the writing world as I have never come across an author that blends an army officer and women together without the long details of war looming.
The story Prices Price is easy to get into and what I like particularly about this story is that is without any confusion who is who. And everyone will like character Stanley Price.
When Stanley Price was nearly seventeen he had had it all, love, sex, money, and a roof over his head, he even had the idea of marriage.
The army in those days could still be persuaded to fund one, and if that fell through, the inheritance would there at the end of a seven year contact.
Stanley spent a year at Sandhurst, and a second year becoming unconscionably fit in the mountains of Nepal with the Brigade of Gurkhas.
He was asked where he would like to be stationed. He had to put in a tour of duty before the army would equip an expedition. There were plenty of places where he could make his mark, like Kenya, Kilimanjaro, but the one thing he knew he wanted to go anywhere but Hong Kong.
Stanley Featherstone Haugh Price was sent to the sweltering Hong Kong by the army. His first thought is one day, his inheritance would be his and he would have enough money to buy himself out.
women are on army officer Stanley’s mind. He meets Lily with a past of her own.
If you have read City of Women by David Gilliam then you will most certainly enjoy this novel Price’s Price.
As the author Chris Maden goes along his story telling in a different light, I’m sure if you are fans of Ken Follett, Tom Clancy, John Le Carre, and W.E.B Griffin then you will most certainly be able to get into this splendid novel without question!
Price’s Price is expertly written. It has the vibes of the army, with drinking beer and meeting women.
The author has gained his own status in the writing world as I have never come across an author that blends an army officer and women together without the long details of war looming.
The story Prices Price is easy to get into and what I like particularly about this story is that is without any confusion who is who. And everyone will like character Stanley Price.
When Stanley Price was nearly seventeen he had had it all, love, sex, money, and a roof over his head, he even had the idea of marriage.
The army in those days could still be persuaded to fund one, and if that fell through, the inheritance would there at the end of a seven year contact.
Stanley spent a year at Sandhurst, and a second year becoming unconscionably fit in the mountains of Nepal with the Brigade of Gurkhas.
He was asked where he would like to be stationed. He had to put in a tour of duty before the army would equip an expedition. There were plenty of places where he could make his mark, like Kenya, Kilimanjaro, but the one thing he knew he wanted to go anywhere but Hong Kong.
Stanley Featherstone Haugh Price was sent to the sweltering Hong Kong by the army. His first thought is one day, his inheritance would be his and he would have enough money to buy himself out.
women are on army officer Stanley’s mind. He meets Lily with a past of her own.
If you have read City of Women by David Gilliam then you will most certainly enjoy this novel Price’s Price.
As the author Chris Maden goes along his story telling in a different light, I’m sure if you are fans of Ken Follett, Tom Clancy, John Le Carre, and W.E.B Griffin then you will most certainly be able to get into this splendid novel without question!
August 9, 2022
I received a copy of Price's Price in exchange for an honest review. Read the full review at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
There is what I would call a ‘style curve’ to the opening of Chris Maden’s debut novel, Price’s Price. The prose has a drifting, distanced quality that can be off-putting to readers as we are introduced to Stanley Price, while he sits waiting in a bar for a woman from the past, and then are catapulted through a flashback to his childhood as the son of a plantation owner in mid-20th century Zimbabwe. Childhood in Africa drifts into boyhood spent in British boarding schools, misspent teenage years sampling the delights of London and Europe, a near miss or two with assorted women, and a commission in the British Army that takes him around the world, but always there is distance between Price and the world around him.
Price’s journey is pungent, redolent with perfume and liquor, sweat and sex, fortunes made and lost all at the whim of the Fates he so frequently looks to. He is, in many ways, as man as shapeless as the fluctuating as the city that surrounds him. Maden’s sense of the time, place, and rapidly changing social, political, and economic situation of Hong Kong in the 1970s and ‘80s feels minute and tangible to the reader. From seedy bars to exclusive clubs, smuggling scams and factory floors, Maden sends his protagonist wandering through all, and as the reader wanders with him we can’t help but be amazed at the situations Price finds himself in, and the many scrapes that he must talk himself out of.
Beautiful, strange, unflinching in the way it portrays a descent into corruption and the ways a man must redeem himself by small measures again and again, reading Price’s Price was an experience I find difficult to describe beyond saying simply, it’s good. It’s very, very good.
There is what I would call a ‘style curve’ to the opening of Chris Maden’s debut novel, Price’s Price. The prose has a drifting, distanced quality that can be off-putting to readers as we are introduced to Stanley Price, while he sits waiting in a bar for a woman from the past, and then are catapulted through a flashback to his childhood as the son of a plantation owner in mid-20th century Zimbabwe. Childhood in Africa drifts into boyhood spent in British boarding schools, misspent teenage years sampling the delights of London and Europe, a near miss or two with assorted women, and a commission in the British Army that takes him around the world, but always there is distance between Price and the world around him.
Price’s journey is pungent, redolent with perfume and liquor, sweat and sex, fortunes made and lost all at the whim of the Fates he so frequently looks to. He is, in many ways, as man as shapeless as the fluctuating as the city that surrounds him. Maden’s sense of the time, place, and rapidly changing social, political, and economic situation of Hong Kong in the 1970s and ‘80s feels minute and tangible to the reader. From seedy bars to exclusive clubs, smuggling scams and factory floors, Maden sends his protagonist wandering through all, and as the reader wanders with him we can’t help but be amazed at the situations Price finds himself in, and the many scrapes that he must talk himself out of.
Beautiful, strange, unflinching in the way it portrays a descent into corruption and the ways a man must redeem himself by small measures again and again, reading Price’s Price was an experience I find difficult to describe beyond saying simply, it’s good. It’s very, very good.
July 12, 2021
The story of how the fates dealt with your everyday Hong Kong Dildo Manufacturer from the sixties into the eighties when every Hong Kong apartment block seemed to be extruding the plastic that filled every Englishman's Christmas Crackers. Chris Maden stylishly evokes the clipped argot of the ex-serviceman bewildered by Chinese business practice, thieving partners, and dodgy investment brokers. He wastes no time in irrelevancies and gets us right into the heart of the matter, which largely concerns whether all really is fair in love, war, and business. And every word rings true!
This is probably a book for the officianadoes of Hong Kong fiction, though given the present state of Hong Kong Politics it might also interest a wider audience. This book is about what made Hong Kong a power house. Nowadays old Hong Kong is being dismantled and the youngsters who can still command a BNO passport are heading for the UK, Canada, Australia and NZ. What will be left will be a Beijing colony that will have forgotten that once upon a time, the world of this book existed.
This is probably a book for the officianadoes of Hong Kong fiction, though given the present state of Hong Kong Politics it might also interest a wider audience. This book is about what made Hong Kong a power house. Nowadays old Hong Kong is being dismantled and the youngsters who can still command a BNO passport are heading for the UK, Canada, Australia and NZ. What will be left will be a Beijing colony that will have forgotten that once upon a time, the world of this book existed.
July 8, 2021
**e-ARC received by the author and publisher of Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.**
A well written book and I like how every word was execute. Not my cup of tea, though. I love how was this setting at the past in HongKong and I learned so much about it. I just wish there is more to it than exploring HongKong, like drama and more adventure.
A well written book and I like how every word was execute. Not my cup of tea, though. I love how was this setting at the past in HongKong and I learned so much about it. I just wish there is more to it than exploring HongKong, like drama and more adventure.
July 15, 2021
An authentic and revealing depiction of circa 1970's Hong Kong seen through the eyes of Stanley Price, a chancer who never seems far from his next sleazy escapade. The writing (though not necessarily the content) is perhaps more autobiographical in style, without the usual plot dynamics of fiction to keep you hooked. However, it is well written and, refreshingly and unusually, Maden tells it like it was with barely a nod to modern sensitivities or sensibilities.
September 30, 2022
Chris Maden writes so wonderfully. The captivating backdrop of Hong Kong frozen in history, the common custom of the day and colourful characters made for a very very entertaining read. Maden expertly weaves geographic and global political nuance into a rollicking fictional tale filled with perfect details to pull you in through the page to actually be in Hong Kong, overlooking the harbour, drinking at the bar in an exclusive club, visiting the underbelly of Hong Kong in pursuit of the protagonists favourite pastime - women.
Scoundrel may be too mild a word for Stanley Price — the book is expertly written from Stanley’s point of view — he is a character who conjures mixed feelings. He is hilariously hopeless at times, frighteningly naive and optimistic at others … the almost farcical conundrums he finds himself in are so cleverly played out, I laughed out loud.
Love him or hate his insalubrious pursuits, readers will be transported into Stanley’s world, awash with the whole human gamut of flaws, bad decisions, regret and yearning in the eventful trek towards self realisation.
There is never a dull moment in Stanley’s life that seems to be leading no where and does anything but. I had strong feelings about it — the wit and rhythm of Maden’s writing is mesmerising and I look forward to reading more from this marvellously talented author.
Chris Maden and I have a mutually deep interest in both writing and in Hong Kong history so he sent me a copy of this book.
I have to add, I can really see Price as a ‘Rake’ like TV series character … with ‘The Office’ type moments thrown in - the scenes where Price is managing his staff are hilarious, and just wait ‘til you find out what his line of business is!!
Five stars - congratulations Chris! I can’t believe this sat in your desk drawer for two decades!
Scoundrel may be too mild a word for Stanley Price — the book is expertly written from Stanley’s point of view — he is a character who conjures mixed feelings. He is hilariously hopeless at times, frighteningly naive and optimistic at others … the almost farcical conundrums he finds himself in are so cleverly played out, I laughed out loud.
Love him or hate his insalubrious pursuits, readers will be transported into Stanley’s world, awash with the whole human gamut of flaws, bad decisions, regret and yearning in the eventful trek towards self realisation.
There is never a dull moment in Stanley’s life that seems to be leading no where and does anything but. I had strong feelings about it — the wit and rhythm of Maden’s writing is mesmerising and I look forward to reading more from this marvellously talented author.
Chris Maden and I have a mutually deep interest in both writing and in Hong Kong history so he sent me a copy of this book.
I have to add, I can really see Price as a ‘Rake’ like TV series character … with ‘The Office’ type moments thrown in - the scenes where Price is managing his staff are hilarious, and just wait ‘til you find out what his line of business is!!
Five stars - congratulations Chris! I can’t believe this sat in your desk drawer for two decades!
October 26, 2022
Price’s Price is a throwback to times gone by, a great exploration of the power bought and sold in the ever changing landscape of 20th century Hong Kong, and a study of the types of individuals who made the city so unique in that time and place. But while wheeling around the world of backstabbing, bribery, seduction and debauchery, the story unwinds with a light heart, romance, and plenty of humor to ease the fall.
The book is very pleasant; easy on the senses what with its witty encounters, timeless anecdotes, Greek tongue-in-cheek tragedy, aptly named cast of characters, romantic optimism, and a protagonist whom the reader grows to love, despite his many faults. Price’s Price is the type of novel you pick up on a warm spring afternoon for leisure with a gin and tonic, and catch yourself rereading again in the fall with a hot toddy by the fireplace. It is a story for all seasons, and for all types of readers. Expats, dreamers and world travelers will find their reflection within the pages (for better or worse). Romantics will fall in love, have their heart broken, and fall all over again. And it’s worth it.
As an added bonus, the art design on the paperback version is stunning, and it looks great on a bookshelf. A nice physical novel to include in your collection.
Price’s Price is a rare gem, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. 5 stars.
The book is very pleasant; easy on the senses what with its witty encounters, timeless anecdotes, Greek tongue-in-cheek tragedy, aptly named cast of characters, romantic optimism, and a protagonist whom the reader grows to love, despite his many faults. Price’s Price is the type of novel you pick up on a warm spring afternoon for leisure with a gin and tonic, and catch yourself rereading again in the fall with a hot toddy by the fireplace. It is a story for all seasons, and for all types of readers. Expats, dreamers and world travelers will find their reflection within the pages (for better or worse). Romantics will fall in love, have their heart broken, and fall all over again. And it’s worth it.
As an added bonus, the art design on the paperback version is stunning, and it looks great on a bookshelf. A nice physical novel to include in your collection.
Price’s Price is a rare gem, and I cannot recommend it strongly enough. 5 stars.
November 24, 2021
“Price’s Price” which I received through Goodreads Giveaways is set in 1970-80s’s Hong Kong where the army has stationed Stanley Price who has dreamt of being a world traveler since childhood. Lured by the carefree lifestyle of Hong Kong he soon leaves the army, following a path in business filled with drinking, loose women and corruption.
Although not my usual taste in reading, the novel is candid, funny and evocative of Hong Kong during the period. Well-written with memorable characters , the plot flows seamlessly to an ending that has Stanley’s free-wheeling lifestyle changing him in unexpected ways.
Although not my usual taste in reading, the novel is candid, funny and evocative of Hong Kong during the period. Well-written with memorable characters , the plot flows seamlessly to an ending that has Stanley’s free-wheeling lifestyle changing him in unexpected ways.
April 29, 2022
Note before the review: I know the author personally so might be that my perception of the book is better because of that.
The first 20 pages are a tough read as too many things happening and tough to get a hold of what's happening but then it settles in and enjoyed every single minute of reading it. A story of drowning in the depths of misery and a sudden and unexpected redemption at the end.
In the race through life, makes you reconsider what is the ends and what are the means in our own lives.
The first 20 pages are a tough read as too many things happening and tough to get a hold of what's happening but then it settles in and enjoyed every single minute of reading it. A story of drowning in the depths of misery and a sudden and unexpected redemption at the end.
In the race through life, makes you reconsider what is the ends and what are the means in our own lives.
December 18, 2023
I normally don't read this type of book, and I did not enjoy it. I did keep reading and finished the book. I just didn't enjoy any of the things he did, or they way he acted. He just did whatever he wanted with no care to others. I did learn from the history of this time of the war and of Hong Kong.
June 21, 2021
Very interesting. I was kind of confused at times with the way it was written. This book is not like a book that I have read before in the past. I wish there was so more drama to it. Though I did feel I learned a lot about Hong Kong.
December 18, 2021
Price's Price is Chris Maden's debut novel and it pleasantly delights! The main character, Stanley Price, sure knows how to make wrong decision after wrong decision yet remains likable thought the entire story. It is a quick read with an unexpected finish. Highly recommend!!
April 13, 2024
Price's Price is the portrait of an era gone by. A man is swallowed by the Hong Kong night life, girls, and all the environment post WWII, the story is interesting but with quite a few cliches. Entertaining!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the copy of this book.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the copy of this book.
June 29, 2021
This is a well-written book but it just wasn't for me. I'm sure another reader will enjoy it, though:)
November 24, 2025
I liked the depiction of the Hong Kong lifestyle, food, history and politics within the 1970s, especially through an expat’s lens.
February 22, 2025
"The true sense of a Greek tragedy is a man who falls victim to his own character flaws. But I had no idea what mine were." Stanley Price is a self-confessed army lowlife seeking the highlife in Hong Kong having abandoned his plans to become an explorer. Instead, in this frank, funny and painfully sharp novel, Price discovers plenty of those flaws in himself and others on a rollicking ride through across the ups and downs of Hong Kong life in the latter part of the twentieth century. While we might swerve to avoid some of his characters on the street, Maden's depictions of the city and insights into its history are to be embraced.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews