Book Review: Pacific Dash: From Asia Vagabond to Casino King by Chet Nairene
Book Details
Pacific Dash: From Asia Vagabond to Casino King by Chet Nairene
Published by Banana Leaf Books on 07/05/2021
Genres: Action & Adventure, Travel
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 396
Source: Kindle Unlimited"ENDLESSLY ENTERTAINING! He is 'Dash in a Tropical Wonderland' in this offbeat adventure with equally quirky characters. A fun journey -- don't miss it!" -- James Roby, The UrbanKnights Series.
PACIFIC DASH is the colorful new novel tracking the vagabond life journey of Dashiell Bonaventure, a young American who roams Asia for decades, visiting beaches, vice dens and casinos, all in pursuit of thrills and truth. This vivid work of gaudy fiction transports readers to exotic worlds and is designed to satisfy all fans of armchair global travel, adventure fiction or romance.
In 1968, a job transfer catapults young Dash's family across the globe, leaving the cornfields of Illinois for far-flung, scintillating Hong Kong. In his youthful innocence, the teen believes his expatriate high school adventure will just be temporary but he is mistaken. For thus begins his lifelong odyssey as Dash drifts between continents, crisscrossing Asia in an adventure of self-discovery.
For several decades, he roams across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar and more. Eccentric and flamboyant personalities roll through his life while he explore the jungles, beaches, and cities of the Far East.
Along the way, he falls desperately in love while also making bitter enemies. He saves lives and also nearly loses his own while backpacking and motorcycling across Indonesia and then working in an illegal floating casino, offshore from Singapore. As the decades pass, he eventually becomes wildly wealthy as he pioneers the VIP gambling junket trade in Macau, hosting 'whale gamblers' from around the region.
But that's when his troubles REALLY begin.
PACIFIC DASH is the next best thing to taking your own journey down the colorful back alleys of Asia. Sparkling with anecdotes and color, this story is designed to charm readers by parachuting them into the festivals, culture, and vice dens of the Far East. Exhaustively researched and historically accurate, this book was written by a veteran "Old Asia Hand" and is an education in itself as to cultural practices and the astounding sites of SE Asia.
The story unwinds at a furious pace and is truly a mad dash: From a sudden disaster at international high school in cosmopolitan Hong Kong … to fantasy years jetting around the globe as the collegiate protégé to the world’s reigning literary rock star … From a dreamlike backpacking idyll through culture-lush Indonesia … to an unplanned decade riding a sleazy floating casino in the Straits of Malacca … and finally on to Dash’s stunning rise to power as the wealthiest Westerner in Asia and king of Greater China's casino business.
With PACIFIC DASH, readers experience life amongst Asia's elite, the young princesses and princelings at the international high school in 1960s Hong Kong. They hang out with Aussie surfer dudes in Bali and go tromping down the 1970s hippie trail to Afghanistan, Nepal and beyond. They thrill to illegal high-stakes baccarat tables on the high seas and gorge on spicy foods eaten by hand off banana leaves. And they fall in love with the gorgeous Fiona Lo Ting-Ting and make friends with intriguing characters like Snakehead Goh, PY (Little Fatty) Lee, Chickie Schmidt and Jackson Toh.
This karma-laced tale is akin to a mash-up between a Paul Theroux travel narrative and Alex Garland's 'The Beach’ ... with a pinch of Forrest Gump tossed in, too -- the latter because amazing, truly unexpected adventures just keep happening to good old Dash. Many readers liken it to the infamous “Flashman” series by George MacDonald Fraser.
PACIFIC DASH is the newest offering from BANANA LEAF BOOKS, a new imprint specializing in the adventures of Westerners adrift in Asia.
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Purchase Links for Pacific Dash
Amazon-OneLink for all countries BookShop/IndieBound
PACIFIC DASH: From Asia Vag...Shop on Amazon
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My thoughts on Pacific Dash
PACIFIC DASH offers readers a glimpse into the colorful back alleys of Asia, providing a rich tapestry of festivals, cultural practices, and vice dens. The book is meticulously researched and historically accurate, offering an educational experience in itself. It presents a fast-paced narrative, taking readers from a disaster at an international high school to Dash’s rise as the wealthiest Westerner in Asia and the king of the casino business in Greater China.
The novel immerses readers in the lives of Asia’s elite, introduces intriguing characters, and showcases the allure of 1960s Hong Kong, the surf culture in Bali, and the hippie trail in the 1970s. The story is filled with humor, exotic characters, and exciting Asian locales, making it a page-turner that lingers in the reader’s mind long after finishing it. Many readers compare it to the works of Paul Theroux and Alex Garland, with a touch of Forrest Gump’s unexpected adventures.
PACIFIC DASH, published by BANANA LEAF BOOKS, is a lush and captivating tale that would make for an intriguing and entertaining movie. It offers a compelling blend of travel, adventure, and romance, leaving readers yearning for more.
I may have received a copy of the book from the author, publisher, or tour company. Otherwise, it is from my personal library or Kindle Unlimited.
This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Chet Nairene
Chet Nairene is an American writer who truly qualifies for the honorary title of "Old Asia Hand".
Chet resided in Southeast Asia nearly three decades, during which time he ran barges and tankers up the coasts of Malaysia and directed retail businesses in the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
During his youth, fresh from college, he worked as a journalist at a midwestern USA daily newspaper.
"We've all read books that were so good that we didn't want them to end," says Chet. " Among my favorites are many by my hero, Paul Theroux, all set in far-away lands. In many ways, he inspired me in life and now, as a writer. My goal is to utterly delight my readers, taking full advantage of the many astounding things I've witnessed during my long stay in Asia. I attempt to parachute my readers directly into alien experiences in those exotic lands and always keep the fascination level high. Here's hoping my readers all enjoy my first offering, PACIFIC DASH, and the amazing travels across Asia by intrepid young Dash Bonaventure!"
Chet will soon be following up PACIFIC DASH with more travel adventure novels set in Southeast Asia.
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Purchase Pacific Dash online from your local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Links
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
PACIFIC DASH: From Asia Vag...Shop on Amazon
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