Good Fortune: The Journey Begins ...

by Leslie Bratspis

Ancient Chinese wisdom secretly passed through handwritten fortunes guides the lives of two men from different cultures.

The year is 1994 and California is having a recession. From the Good Fortune restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown, aged scholar, Chow Lee Tong shares his wisdom and secretly passes it through the handwritten fortunes delivered to customer, Michael Hamilton. For months, Tong’s knowledge guides the lives of two men from different cultures. Each man—Michael, and Tong’s son, Wu—become immersed in journeys of change. Tong is the secret link they unknowingly share.

Tong’s fortunes for Michael are vague suggestions left open to interpretation. In contrast, Wu rejects everything his father says. By facing similar difficulties, each man learns how he must overcome personal problems in order to find the happiness he seeks. In time, both discover that to fulfill their purpose, along the way they may have to find answers by faith in the unknown.

Tong waits patiently while the men’s lives become like mirrored images of the Yin/Yang symbol—identical yet reversed. Good fortune awaits them, but first, they must realize true happiness is less tied to outward goals than to inner awareness. Tong's gentle wisdom shows them the way.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2011

About the author

When I'm not busy writing contemporary fiction, I'm either hanging out with our rescued Golden Retrievers, Missy and JoJo, or I might be in my art studio sketching and painting. I also enjoy watching classic black-and-white movies. Noir Alley on Saturday night is a must!

I love hearing from readers so yes, please drop me a line with any comments or questions about my books. And be sure to visit my website. I look forward to hearing from you.

E-mail: lesliebratspis@yahoo.com
Website: www.lesliebratspis.com
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Reviews

[Shu Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading many of the other reviews on Good Fortune currently on the web, I want to make a very clear point. The beauty and the richness of this novel exists beyond a richly detailed vision of Chinese culture and traditions. This is an American novel, in an American setting, with distinctly American characters. Part of the beauty of San Francisco and California where the novel is mainly set is the blended and not so blended plethora of cultures. Leslie Bratspis must be credited for writing a beautiful cross cut of this interaction.

Leslie Bratspis novel is also timely. She deals with issues of unemployment, local business versus large conglomerates and the meaning of following one’s passions through the fear and into the other side. Her back drop of Chinese fortunes and immigrant culture is rich and laudable. Everything else, her eye for the human experience, is what holds this novel together.

The plot is compelling, the characters relatable, the setting of the 1994 California recession might as well be the current national state of affairs. There’s something here for everyone.

[Calidee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found "Good Fortune" to be a beautifully written entertaining and emotional story of the lives of a Chinese immigrant family who came to the United States to start a new life and a successful business, while still honoring the traditions of the country they left behind. "Good Fortune" is a contemporary tale that pays great respect to the past with fascinating insight into the Chinese culture, while dealing with the present. It follows the lives of a Chinese family in San Francisco as they deal with all of the changes in their lives over the years, and of an American born business man who is going through a personal crisis, and how he finds that "Good Fortune" awaits him as he becomes the recipient of Chinese wisdom. This is a novel filled with beautifully defined characters who will touch your heart and remain there. By the end of the book, I was left wanting to know more about their lives - perhaps one day, we will have the "Good Fortune" to follow their continuing story.

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Fortune is a lovely story that grabs you from the start as it is easy to read, well-written and easy to identify with the various characters, their individual struggles and their hopes for a brighter future. While Michael is searching for a renewed life purpose after losing his job, Anna longing for her husband to be present in family life at home, and Jennie hoping Michael will commit after finally finding love, each obstacle is a gentle reminder that everyone faces challenges in life. I especially enjoyed how the author encompassed the wisdom and insight of Tong, the older Chinese-born grandfather, as he seeks to share and preserve his grandfather's knowledge, skills and culture with his younger, American-born family members and a complete stranger. Good Fortune is a great book to read anywhere!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Fortune by Leslie Bratspis is an excellent read. I was captivated from the first chapter and found myself unable to concentrate on much else until I had finished reading the entire book. The descriptive language put me directly in the middle of the story and I was easily able to envision all the characters and locations. I also found that I learned some interesting facts from the well researched history of the dynamics of a Chinese family. This is a book that I would highly recommend and shall do so to many personal friends that I know enjoy a well written story. Buy this book, you won't be able to put it down!

[Kim Schaumburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unique novel focuses on the lives of two California men. Wu is successful, Michael is not. Wu is married with a beloved family, while Michael is single and alone. Both are unhappy. But their lives are moving in opposite directions. Wu, a workaholic, neglects his wife and son in order to keep the family business thriving. Michael falls in love and starts a prosperous business of his own. The common thread in their lives is Wu’s father, a wise old man who knows that money is not the ultimate gage of success. An engaging story with a positive attitude and a feel good message.

[Lorraine Zaretsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked by the prologue and the promise(and delivery)of insight into Chinese culture. The characters grabbed my interest and I was invested in their dilemmas and transformations. A wonderful story of learning to listen to your heart and having the strength and courage to follow it. The guidance of a very wise secret mentor motivated Michael to change his life's direction and learn we all have the ability within us to create our own good fortune.

I have recommended this book to my book group because of the excellent discussion possibilities.

[Valerie Dickenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Vanilla Grass so was delighted to see another novel by this talented author. In Good Fortune, Leslie Bratspis once again weaves a great tale of people and the events that make their lives unique, drawing the reader in, making us care about what happens to each and every one - there's no character there to fill pages, each has a story to tell, and each story worth reading. A thoroughly enjoyable 'feel-good' novel. It's great to find a new writer who writes with style and with such an ability to write memorable characters. I hope the next Leslie Bratspis is on the way.

[Donna Chaffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story and a fast read that works on several different levels. The author intertwines the lives and struggles of people from different cultures and generations in a memorable and heart-warming tale of love and hope. I particularly enjoyed reading about the Chinese culture and traditions and found the characters to be both interesting and authentic. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Bratspis.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very thoroughly researched book. Intergenerational, intercultural ties (and differences) are integral to the plot. The wisdom of each of the special fortunes is timeless, and universal and each is as rich as the red silk fabric that kept the Grandfather's secret. I loved reading it. I'm waiting for the next one.

[Natansee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I did not want to put it down and when I was close to finishing, I did not want it to end. It was very interesting to learn more about the culture symbols, as well as, the intertwining of a romance blooming through wisdom and chocolate, along with the enjoyable characters. Leslie, dear friend, I hope you write a follow-up. :) N

[Phyllis Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie Bratspis is a very talented writer. Her book reveals that she did much research into Asian customs and lives. Skillfully, she wove that knowledge into an intriguing story where the lives, thoughts and motivations of persons from two cultures meet and influence each other. I recommend the book to all discerning readers who want to learn while they enjoy the story.

Phyllis

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read of two cultures meshed in America. The author guides the lives of two men through the ancient wisdom of discovering true happiness.
I found the storyline intreguing as events and friends are more than coincidence in Michael Hamilton's life as he turns misfortune into good fortune.

[Marguarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads First Read.

This book was the debut novel for this author. This author did a very good job at writing about the Chinese culture. It was an enjoyable read and I'm excited to read more from this author.

[Sharneel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of cliches and predictability, the best that can be said about this book is that it was a bit interesting to see the dynamic of the generations in the Chinese family. I think this was meant to be a feel good novel, although I found it to be rather irksome.

[Howard Katzoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This was a wonderful multi generational story of an Asian family. It was entwined with an American love story on which it had a direct impact. It was very different from so many other books I've read. I definitely recommend it.

[P.L. Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful feel good story that warms the heart. A must read!