About The Book
Michael could not have known when he flew into Bangkok to launch a new company that his life would change so dramatically. Working on million-dollar negotiations during the day and spending tropical nights accompanying his Thai-savvy business partner, Drake, through the hotspots of the city, Michael felt respite from the pain of his broken marriage in the exhilaration of Thailand. Yielding to its allure, Michael and Drake jet off to the unspoiled island of Koh Samui to enjoy its intoxicating escapes. There, Michael would meet the woman of his dreams, beginning a sweeping romance that would redefine both of their lives. Malee, a beautiful young factory worker, caught Michael’s eye in a room filled with hustlers. Following her every move, fate would play its hand—and innocent touch would ignite a passionate love affair. Inseparable, Michael and Malee would spend the following days exploring the riches of Thailand, and nights caught in the embrace of one another’s desires. All was idyllic until Michael had to fly to New York, an extended separation, the first of several to come, that challenged their love and resolve. Moving seamlessly across three continents, Malee: A Tear in the Ocean is an international romance that by turns takes the reader from the heights of euphoria to the depths of loss. Michael and Malee’s love weaves through culture, misunderstanding, and captivating desire. Wrenching the reader from passion to anguish and back again, Malee: A Tear in the Ocean, beckons you to experience the thrill of their journey.
An Interview with WILLIAM V. M. McALLISTER III
1.What is it about Thailand and Thai culture that you find most appealing? Thai culture is permeated by graciousness. The culture, in fact, goes far beyond graciousness. The French have the perfect word for it: ‘gentillesse’ – a word that marries graciousness with class. It is seductive, especially to a Westerner. Thai graciousness, however, should never be mistaken for weakness of resolve. As a nation, Thais are fiercely independent. Thai soldiers are among the best trained and best led in the world, and Thais are tough negotiators.
2.Was there a particular author that has influenced you and your work? I am enamored with and inspired by any writer who can capture a profound emotion, complete setting, or complicated action with a great economy of words. This is what I’ve tried to achieve in my writing. I will revisit a scene over and over again trying to figure out how to convey all that I want in fewer words. I find that the fewer the words, the more powerful the message they convey.
3.This is your debut novel, what was the biggest challenge in the writing process? Malee’s English is very far from perfect. While that was a huge challenge, the labor, I believe, paid off. I’m captivated by how powerfully emotions can be conveyed in even highly fractured English - and sometimes even more powerfully than had the English been correct. There are several scenes where in a fractured phrase, she conveys an emotion that could not be captured as well or as deeply in proper English. There is one scene in particular where in a four-word fractured phrase she brought tears to the eyes of two readers of the near-final draft. They told me that it tore into their heart.
4.Do you plan to write any additional novels? I have fallen in love with writing and it holds me tight in its thrall. 5.What is the number one thing you want people to take away from your novel? A good novel speaks to the human condition in each of us, and a great novel speaks uniquely to each individual reader. I want people to come away from Malee judging it to be a great novel.
About The Author
WILLIAM V.M. McALLISTER III began his career working for one of the major newspapers in the United States, but soon was recognized by his peers as a brilliant business mind. Leaving the newspaper industry to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, Mr. McAllister has subsequently traveled to five continents working as a consultant, starting new companies in retail, international trade, and professional services. Educated in England where he studied the Classics and Literature, then securing his MBA, Mr. McAllister now resides on his East Coast estate with two Irish Wolfhounds, Geri and Freki. Malee: A Tear in the Ocean is his first novel.
My Review:
Michael has traveled to Bangkok to start a new company. While he is there he meets and falls in with Malee a beautiful woman. This book is full of happiness and sadness, ups and downs. This story talks about Thailand and Thai culture. This is a nice first novel. I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book for the purpose of a review and all opinions are my own.
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