Review: Poignant & Powerfully Sad
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2012
Since this is the first book I've read from Brett Battles, I had no preconceived notion other than what I read from reviews.  I found this novel powerful and sad.  I won't rewrite the story because I don't think it's fair to the author, so here's my take on the book.Although written as fiction, sex tourism is alive and well in the world and for every girl/woman who sells her body, there is a buyer.  The characters were developed well: the conflicted Jay, the hopelessly hopeful Isabel, the sincere Larry and the malicious Maribel.  I occasionally felt uncomfortable while reading this book, which I guess is a good thing and the intent of the author.I found it ironic the concept of "family" as I read this book and it pains me to think how these families and boyfriends/husbands of these girls use the money they send home, knowing that they're whoring to make it.  The deceitful relationship between Isabel and Maribel, how one used the concept of family for evil while the other used it for strength.The "dream" of being saved by a foreigner and taken away from the grind is one which does not happen often, if at all. When it does, the other side of the story can be equally discouraging as often the trade follows the girls where they go and the "true love"  in their new world is just as fake as the sex in their old world.As the American wife of a former sailor who spent time in the Phillipines in the 80s, my husband shared many of the stories (and photos) of some of the Filipina ladies he had met when they got into port.  I was sadden by what he told me back then and after reading "Gravity", I'm still saddened.  The author captured the flavor and feel of the life lived in the bars; the false smiles of the girls, the lust of the men and the money changing hands through the bar owners. The rules and the rituals in the business with no happy ending, no love everlasting and no Hollywood conclusion after an hour.  Gritty, dark, uncomfortable and sad.My opinion of a good book is one that holds you captive throughout the pages and keeps you thinking long after you've finished reading.  A book you tell your friends to read so afterward you can have lively debates on the material.  Those discussions will be happening soon.Please feel free to agree and/or disagree with my review; I'd love to hear what you think.