Pao Book Summary and Study Guide

Pao is a crime lord with a big heart. Home has been Jamaica since his mother fled China with him and his brother in tow. Pao works for one of the biggest war bosses in Kingston's Chinatown. Pao doesn't have to do the dirty work but when he steps in the gentle giant loses the gentle and can offer a king-sized beat down that will leave you cripple and maimed.

When he meets Gloria, she needs help. She wants him to go to the hospital where her baby sister Marcia is busted up. A sailor on leave got mad when she refused to sleep with him. He's almost killed her. Gloria wants Pao and his guys to find the sailor and beat him within an inch of his life.

Pao marries a rich girl even though he and Gloria have become friends. He's sleeping with his new bride Fay and Gloria. Fay ignores Pao on the honeymoon. Her family has money and she only agreed to marry him because of her mother. Cicely is African royalty and expects her daughter Fay to act the part, even if she is half Chinese. They fight like cats and dogs. Cicely selected Pao for the father of her grandchildren. Fay didn't have a choice unless she wanted her mother to cut the plentiful financial gifts.

Pao sends Ethel a worker for Cicely to school to learn shorthand. It is their secret. If Cicely finds out she will fire Ethel. No one is supposed to want for more than serving her.

When Jamaica and England part ways and Jamaica gets her Independence Day,Pao celebrates with the rest of the country.

Pao and Gloria also have a baby but he chooses to not recognize Esther. Could be the money his in-laws have, or it may be that he is embarrassed that Esther is dark skin. It takes many years for Pao and Esther to develop a relationship. The entire island knows that Gloria runs a house with a lot of men coming and going, and that Pao is married to what equates to royalty on the island.

Pao sees and commits many crimes. It is in his blood. His mother had fled China during a civil war and living in Kingston could have the same type of disastrous effects as those caused by war. Pao's rule was that if he offered protection or loans borrowers should know better than to show up late with the return plus interest. Pao didn't care if they could afford his prices or not. If you use them you'd better be able to pay.

Fay's brother Kenny also has a right to the mob family but he's a foul goof up. Priveleged and gung ho about carrying guns he makes Pao's life miserable. He can't fire him, he's Cicely's son. He can't leave his marriage, Cicely hand picked him for the job. It's no secret that Esther is his daughter even though he does a less than gallant effort of claiming her as his.

Pao comes to love Esther and acknowledge her, it has a lot to do with his love for Gloria and the fact that even if he were able to be with her proper the time has passed. Gloria's passion for him has run out. She cares about Pao for sure, but she hasn't forgotten the early years when Esther was little and how he seemed to flaunt Fay in her face.

He is there beside Gloria for Esther's wedding. He is supposed to give a wedding speech but feels inadequate. He knows that for the first fourteen year's of Esther's life he wasn't really a part of things. Besides, he's only met her fiance a couple of times. A big man who is also shy he searches for the right words. He decides to ask for Esther's forgiveness and to share with her and all present how proud he is to be her dad.

When Esther gets pregnant with her first child Gloria decides to throw a big party in celebration. Pao secretly thinks that Gloria is giving the party in honor of their reconnecting on a higher level and really trying to make it work as a couple.

Best part of story, including ending: I liked the story it contained diverse characters.

Best scene in story: My favorite scene was Pao attending and supporting Esther's graduation.

Opinion about the main character: I liked that Pao was finally able to show some emotion about love.