The Emperor of Shoes, Spencer Wise


The Emperor of ShoesThe Emperor of Shoes by Spencer Wise

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


For all of Alex Cohen's life, he's been taught what it means to be a Cohain. He hears of The Sacrifices his father and grandfather have made to build the family's shoe business from nothing, especially how his father gave up everything, including his wife and family, to make the company successful when he sees an opportunity to move the factory to China.

A passive, seemingly disinterested twenty-six year old Jewish kid from Boston, Alex has just signed the paperwork to begin taking the reins from his father when he meets and falls for Ivy, a migrant factory worker who lives in the factory dorms.

Through Alex and Ivy's relationship, we see the unfairness and abuse suffered by these workers, and Alex has to come to terms with the fact that his father has turned a blind eye to it all for the sake of profit. Ivy helps to open Alex's eyes to the state of her world as a Chinese factory worker and citizen, forcing Alex to finally take a stand against his father.

I took some time to feel this one out before writing this review, because this book offers a lot to think about. It covers the differences in cultures, lifestyles, and rights of the characters, gives insights into the lives of people a world away, and really makes you think about the true cost of the cheap products we all choose to depend on. I won't give anymore away, but I can only imagine what the world could be if we all took a stand.


Thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin, and Spencer Wise for giving me the opportunity to read the Emperor of Shoes!



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