Ping
By Lisa Lucas and Steve Landsberg
Narrated by Elle Reimer
Publication Date: 28th November 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Page Length: 105
Genre: Historical Fiction / Sport Fiction
PING, which was originally conceived in 2016, precedes the current cultural popularity in Ping Pong, exemplified in the upcoming 2025 Christmas movie release of Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Alternating between the pivotal 1971 Ping-Pong Diplomacy - where a simple game of table tennis thawed the icy relations between the U.S. and China during the Cold War - and the present-day struggles of a family weighed down by legacy, Ping is a compelling tale of his- tory, politics, and personal conflict.
Jenny, a modern-day teen, wrestles with her grand-mother Miriam's larger-than-life legacy, rooted in Cold War tensions and the surprising intersection of ping pong, antisemitism, and global diplomacy. As Jenny uncovers Miriam's secret role in shaping history, she confronts her own place in a family bound by expectations and unspoken truths.
Blending family drama with meticulously researched historical events, this gripping story explores the enduring im pact of the past on the present. "Ping skillfully blends family drama with political and historical events, particularly through Jenny's modern-day struggles and Miriam's Cold War-era experiences. The use of Ping Pong as both a symbol and a plot device keeps the story engaging, exploring generational expectations and legacies . . .
Excerpt
At times, both men could hardly believe the privilege that came with being a member of the team. There was new equipment, comfortable clothing and running shoes and the quantity and the quality of the food was something they had never experienced before. The generous rations included a breakfast of milk, sweet cakes, rice porridge, buns and pickled vegetables. Mao had gone so far as to station a shooting team in Inner Mongolia to hunt for yellow goats, a delicacy in China. He figured that way the team could eat meat for lunch and dinner. No matter what, he would ensure his athletes were well fed and in tip-top condition.
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Lisa Lucas
Lisa Lucas started writing for magazines and newspapers. Later, she wrote extensively on issues related to literacy and health that were featured in publications by the Canadian Public Health Association, several literacy organizations, and hospitals across Canada.
She is the recipient of the CIBC Children’s Miracle Maker Award for advancing literacy among people with special needs.
Several years ago, Lisa partnered with Laurie Stein and began writing for children, covering subjects from climate change to refugees. Her belief that “storytellers often sugarcoat real issues and present subjects to kids that are too far from reality in order to protect them. Just tell it the way it is. Kids appreciate authentic stories that are honest and real.”
More recently, Lisa has turned her attention to poetry and historical fiction. Ping is her first novel. Lisa’s work has been recognized by The New York Times, The Kirkus Reviews (starred), Publishers Weekly, Indigo and more. Her books have been translated into several languages and are widely recognized throughout Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
Steve Landsberg
Steve Landsberg, an accomplished, award-winning advertising executive and entrepreneur, is currently Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Human Intelligence (H.I.), a New York City-based marketing firm. Prior to H.I., he co-founded Grok, an Inc. 500 “Fastest Growing Company.”
Steve has held executive creative roles at many top global ad agencies leading the work on iconic global brands. A copy writer by trade, Steve has published numerous ad industry articles. Ping is his first published book.
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