On Java Road

A Novel

By: Lawrence Osborne

Narrated by: Michael Obiora

New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice • A veteran journalist in Hong Kong investigates the disappearance of a student protester in this “sensual, provocative, and riveting” (The Washington Post) novel from the celebrated author of The Forgiven—now a major motion picture starring Jessica Chastain and Ralph Fiennes.

“Osborne is a startlingly good observer of privilege, noting the rites and rituals of the upper classes with unerring precision and an undercurrent of malice.”—Katie Kitamura, The New York Times Book Review, on Beautiful Animals

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, CrimeReads

After two decades as a journalist in Hong Kong, ex-pat Englishman Adrian Gyle is ready to turn his back on the city he knew so well. But as Hong Kong erupts in violence with pro-democracy demonstrations hitting ever closer to home, could this be the final assignment Gyle was looking for?

Watching from the skyrises is his old friend Jimmy Tang, the scion of one of Hong Kong’s wealthiest families. Through him Gyle uncovers an intriguing lead: the mysterious Rebecca, a student involved in the protests, and the latest of his Jimmy’s reckless dalliances. But when Rebecca goes missing and Jimmy hides, it rekindles in Gyle an old urge to investigate.

Piecing together Rebecca’s final days and hours, Gyle must tread carefully through a volatile world of friendship and betrayal. Vividly capturing a city on the brink, On Java Road tells the gripping story of a man between the fault lines of old worlds and new orders in pursuit of the truth.

Descriptions of places

Superb narration. A good story. What happens when a country slides into authoritarian rule? Xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx

À thoroughly enjoyable listen

A beautifully written, and subtle story, full of a rich sense of place following two friends, enveloped in sadness and the inevitability of disappointment.

Fascinating story about Hong Kong

The story gave great insight into the world of wealthy Hong Kong residents and journalist expats as China cracked down on freedom.

Another winning novel by Laurence Osborne

No winners in this tale except the State in this tale that uses the dissolution of a once free-wheeling Hong Kong as a backdrop. Laurence Osborne renders remarkable characters in this tale, the fading expat journo Adrian Gyle, his privileged, cynical “comrade” Jimmy Tan, representing a privileged class whose time is up, and Rebecca Toh, also privileged but a rebel, who will break your heart. Somehow, above all, we want her to win, despite her fate. Pick this one up by Osbourne. There is no better expat writer in the world now. He understands and writes of a changing Hong Kong that will resonate with anyone who’s ever lived there. On Java Road is written with Osborne’s usual panache and insights on the human condition amongst those who belong and those who don’t in foreign lands. MIchael Obiora's narration is spot-on.

A fine book

An ambiguous friendship formed at Oxford moves to Hong Kong. Race, economics, politics are beautifully explicated by Osborne, who, it seems, has been everywhere with his pen.