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Dragon House Audiobook
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(3.03) - 554 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Critically acclaimed novelist John Shors' travels in Asia add texture to this affecting tale of two Americans in Vietnam. A tale of sacrifice, rebirth, and above all inspiration, Dragon House connects with readers on the most human of all levels. When Iris' father, a Vietnam vet, makes a dying wish that she take over the operation of a shelter for street children in Ho Chi Minh City, she agrees-and takes with her her long-time friend Noah, an Iraq War veteran.
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"I read this while traveling through Vietnam and I really enjoyed it. The book did open my eyes a bit to the situation of the street kids and touts in general. The story, while touching, was a quite predictable, and at times cliche and unrealistically idealistic. In the end I did quite enjoy it for both style and story."
— Scott (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Amid the wreckage of what’s known in Vietnam as the ‘American War,’ Shors has set his sprawling, vibrant novel. All of his characters—hustlers, humanitarians, street children—carry wounds, visible or otherwise. And in the cacophony of their voices, he asks that most essential questions: ‘How can we be better?’”
— David Oliver Relin, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Three Cups of Tea -
“In a large cast of appealing characters, the street children are the heart of this book; their talents, friendships, and perils keep you turning the pages.”
— Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of The Jane Austen Book Club -
“Shors has written a wonderful novel about two American lives shaped by an encounter with the lives of the Vietnamese people in this present age, decades after that country has faded from the ongoing clamor of news in this country. For that very reason, Shors transcends politics and headlines and finds the timeless and deeply human stories that are the essence of enduring fiction. This is strong, important work from a gifted writer.”
— Robert Olen Butler, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain -
“There is a tenderness in this moving, deeply descriptive novel that brings all those frequently hidden qualities of compassion, purity of mind, and, yes, love—the things we used to call the human spirit—into the foreground of our feeling as readers. This is a beautiful heart speaking to us of the beautiful world we could and should find, even in the darkness that so often floods the world with fear.”
— Gregory David Roberts, bestselling author of Shantaram
Dragon House Listener Reviews
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" A great read since I can picture the story in my head having been to HCMC before. Some of the narrative and character development is a bit rushed instead of having a more natural growth progression to it. Overall, a feel good book that inspires me to do more! "
— Nicole, 2/18/2014 -
" Dragon House is without a doubt the best book I read in 2009. An amazing novel of two people who set out to make a difference. This story is set in modern-day Vietnam, and I really enjoyed learning about this country. Such a wonderful book! "
— Kc, 2/16/2014 -
" Interesting setting, poor writing. There are other books about Vietnam that are much better. "
— Barbara, 1/31/2014 -
" excellent book! highly recommend reading it! "
— Jenny, 1/23/2014 -
" I read this book in galley stages, and I sincerely hope it changed drastically before final printing. I did not enjoy this nearly half as much as Beneath a Marble Sky. There were no surprises in this story; I predicted almost every "twist" the author included. Although the characters were intriguing there interactions were predictable. "
— Joneill1225, 1/20/2014 -
" Loved it, couldn't put it down. Really inspiring. "
— Jolanta, 1/15/2014 -
" Loved this book. Can't wait to read more of his books and hope he continues to write. "
— Lisa, 1/9/2014 -
" One of the best books I've read in a long time. "
— Mercedes, 1/7/2014 -
" John Shors' new book lives up to my expectations since I loved "Beneath Marble Skies." The new book is much more believable and well developed than his second book. For more about this book, see my review on amazon.com under the title and my reviewer's name, EGranfors. "
— Eileen, 12/26/2013 -
" Shocking to get to the end and find out it was by a Colorado College graduate who went on to teach in Japan. Good idea and engaging story; bad, bad, bad writing! "
— William, 12/12/2013 -
" Wonderfully developed characters. "
— Michelle, 10/4/2013 -
" A tale of modern VietNam. I didn't mind reading it, but it was pretty predictable. Included nice characters that I cared about. Recommended for a gentle read with a foreign flavor. "
— Laura, 6/29/2013 -
" I wasn't excited about reading the book at first. I found it in a bargain bin for $3.00. It was soooo good, though! I laughed, I cried, and it made me think, and that's what makes a book 'amazing' to me! "
— Katie, 3/13/2013 -
" What an amazing novel. I so recommend this read... "
— Soraya, 12/21/2012 -
" I ahve read all three of Shors books, and this by far was the best!!!!!!! "
— Terri, 8/27/2012 -
" Terrible book! Don't read it...I just did because I started it. It is just bad writing. "
— Amanda, 8/13/2011 -
" Again, it's more of a 3.5. So glad the time was spent to tell this story and give a face to the forgotten children of this world... "
— Gina, 7/21/2011 -
" A very interesting book about forgiveness, moving on and team work. All of John Shors books are amazing with character that will touch you heart, make you cry and root for them.Another book that will keep you glued to the book a must read book. "
— Stacey, 5/22/2011 -
" decent story of two Americans who travel to Vietnam to full-fill a father's dream to open a school/home for street children. Could of done without the Bush bashing... "
— Carrie, 6/4/2010 -
" I actually didn't finish this one, but since I have officially stopped reading it, I thought I would mark it as read just to be done with it. "
— Penelope, 5/24/2010
About John Shors
John Shors is an international bestselling author whose work has won numerous
awards and been translated into twenty-six languages. He traveled extensively
throughout Asia after graduating from Colorado College in 1991, living for
several years in Japan, where he taught English, and then trekking across the
continent, visiting ten countries and climbing the Himalayas. More recently he
worked as a newspaper reporter in his hometown, Des Moines, Iowa, before
entering public relations and moving to Boulder, Colorado. John encourages
reader feedback and can be easily reached via his website at johnshors.com.
About Jennifer Ikeda
Jennifer Ikeda has been narrating audiobooks since 2002. Among her readings are When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; and After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates. She has won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.