Books about Hong Kong

I have to admit, if I had to chose between tv and reading I would probably pick tv…it’s horrible I know, but at least I am honest! Since my favorite television shows are off for the summer I get to change my ways and become a reader. Being that this is Sassy Hong Kong and we love all things Hong Kong I am going to dedicate this post and maybe my summer reading to books about our lovely city!

 

I had the Piano Teacher (By Janice Y.K Lee) sitting on my book shelf for a while now and it wasn’t until my flight back from the US that I picked it up to read it. The story takes place in Hong Kong around World War II and I loved getting a glimpse into the Hong Kong of years past. It is amazing to me how similar in some ways life was for the expats in Hong Kong back then. I loved reading all the street names, areas and places that I frequent on a regular basis. It was a quick and easy read and while I do admit I had a long plane ride, I finished it before I set foot back in Hong Kong.

I picked up The List today and the issue is called “The Book Club” Issue. You should definitely check it out if you are into all things literary. I particularly liked page 42 and 43 which is titled “Local Reads – Hong Kong in print”. This page lists a number of books that are about or take place in Hong Kong. Below are the books they feature:

• White Ghost Girls (Alice Greenway)
• The World of Suzie Wong (Richard Mason)
• Falling Leaves (Adeline Yen-Mah)
• Gweilo: Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood (Martin Booth)
• King Hui: The Man Who Owned All The Opium in Hong Kong (Jonathan Chamberlain)
• The Piano Teacher (Hanice Y.K. Lee)
• Kowloon Tong (Paul Theroux)
• Tai Pan (James Clavell)
• Hong Kong (Jan Morris)
• The Monkey King (Timothy Mo)