Ping

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By William Reimers

An intricately woven examination of the personal cost of legacy, political tension, and generational memory, Ping is a profound literary achievement. Lisa Lucas and Steven Landsberg create a novel that is both intimate and expansive, encapsulating the reverberations of global history within the confines of a single family's narrative. This work resonates with the intellect and the heart in equal measure.

The novel's dual timelines, which alternate between the charged political atmosphere of 1971's Ping-Pong Diplomacy and the emotional coming-of-age of a modern-day teenager, are handled with remarkable clarity and narrative elegance. Lucas and Landsberg employ a confident, accessible prose style that never undervalues the reader's intelligence, combining historical precision with emotional insight. The use of table tennis as a narrative device is both subtle and effective, acting as a symbol and a connective tissue between the personal and the political.

The novel's central character is Jenny, a teenager who is compelled to confront the specter of her grandmother Miriam's covert involvement in Cold War diplomacy. Through Jenny's pursuit of the truth, Ping explores the importance of familial expectations, the silence that envelops trauma, and the fortitude required to reconcile the past with the present. The novel also explores the enduring power of empathy in leadership and diplomacy, as well as themes of identity and antisemitism—ideas that are both urgent and essential in the current sociopolitical climate.

What makes Ping particularly powerful is its emotional resonance. The characters' challenges are both distinctive and recognizable, and they seem to be genuine and lived-in. The reader is drawn to participate in a conversation about the price of greatness, truth, and legacy, as secrets are disclosed and histories are rewritten. This conversation is not limited to nations, but also extends to individuals and families. After the final page, the narrative evokes a profound sense of contemplation, leaving a lasting impression.

Ping is a novel that successfully balances precision with poignancy, and complexity with clarity—a triumph of literary drama and historical fiction. It achieves a rare synthesis of emotional depth and education by illuminating a pivotal yet lesser-known moment in global history through the lens of personal reckoning.

About the Author

Lisa Lucas

Lisa 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, 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.

About the Author

Steven Landsberg

Steve Landsberg, an accomplished, award-winning advertising executive and entrepreneur, is currently Co-Founder and Chief CreativeOfficer of Human Intelligence (H.I.), a New York City-based creating marketing studio. Prior to H.I., he co-founded Grok, an Inc. 500 “Fastest GrowingCompany.” Steve has held executive creative roles at many top global ad agencies leading the work on iconic global brands. A copywriter by trade, Steve has published numerous ad industry articles. Ping is his first published book.