The Paradise Guest House

A Novel

By: Ellen Sussman

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

A riveting and poignant novel of one woman’s journey to Bali in search of love, renewal, and a place to call home—perfect for readers of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love and Alex Garland’s The Beach.

It starts as a trip to paradise. Sent on assignment to Bali, Jamie, an American adventure guide, imagines spending weeks exploring the island’s lush jungles and pristine white sand beaches. Yet three days after her arrival, she is caught in Bali’s infamous nightclub bombings, which irreparably change her life and leave her with many unanswered questions.

One year later, haunted by memories, Jamie returns to Bali seeking a sense of closure. Most of all, she hopes to find Gabe, the man who saved her from the attacks. She hasn’t been able to forget his kindness—or the spark between them as he helped her heal. Checking into a cozy guest house for her stay, Jamie meets the kindly owner, who is coping with a painful past of his own, and a young boy who improbably becomes crucial to her search. Jamie has never shied away from a challenge, but a second chance with Gabe presents her with the biggest dilemma of all: whether she’s ready to open her heart.

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Praise for The Paradise Guest House

“Two survivors of Bali’s terrorist bombing find love and spiritual rebirth on an island whose inhabitants believe in reincarnation in Sussman’s touching panorama of paradise. . . . Throughout, Sussman celebrates lovers, quiet healing, and the sweetness of the island and its people.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A story of healing and redemption, of finding love in the most unexpected places, and of the importance of moving forward . . . Sussman has drawn a vivid, well-balanced portrait of a woman and a country working to recover from an unimaginable event and a very personal look at a global tragedy.”—Booklist

“Echoing Bali’s difficult recovery from [the 2002 terrorist bombing], the characters tread the difficult terrain of post-traumatic attachment. . . . A respectful and earnest . . . treatment of devastation’s aftermath.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[A] moving story about making sense of life after a tragedy . . . This touching tale will cause contemplation about what closure truly means.”—RT Book Reviews

©2013 Ellen Sussman (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Echoing Bali’s difficult recovery from [the 2002 terrorist bombing], the characters tread the difficult terrain of post-traumatic attachment.… A respectful and earnest…treatment of devastation’s aftermath." (Kirkus)

“A story of healing and redemption, of finding love in the most unexpected places, and of the importance of moving forward . . . Sussman has drawn a vivid, well-balanced portrait of a woman and a country working to recover from an unimaginable event and a very personal look at a global tragedy.” (Booklist)

Good, not a masterpiece

Trigger warning: this story might trigger PTSD symptoms in those with a history of violent trauma, burns, or anyone who has lost a child. It gives details about the Bali bombings. The story is good enough. It centers on a romance between two people who were present at the event and helped victims, as well as each other. There are two main Indonesian characters, definitely secondary to the American protagonists. The narration was good in terms of emotion, but she wasn’t great at the male voice. She handled the British and Australian accents ok. I haven’t (yet) been to Bali, so I can’t comment on the Indonesian accent. The accent on the Bostonians was abominable. I think it was an attempt to be Kennedy-esque (as opposed to a Good Will Hunting sound) but it just sounded like a bad British accent.
In the end, I’m glad I listened to learn more about the 2002 tragedy. Not bad, but not a masterpiece.