Living in Hong Kong for five years, I explored the city, the islands and the mountainous New Territories. I also explored the SAR’s history through popular books set in Hong Kong, from romantic novels to informative works of non-fiction. So, I’ve decided to compile a list of the best books about Hong Kong and my favourite HK writers, which I highly recommend you read if you are visiting.
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Non-Fiction Set in Hong Kong
The history of Hong Kong is fascinating; the colonisation and transformation of a quiet fishing village into a strategic harbour city, the Japanese occupation of HK during World War II and the handover of Hong Kong back to China in 1997.
Here are just a couple of my favourite books of non-fiction set in Hong Kong, which follow some interesting times in its history:
1. Gweilo: Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood
Gweilo, by Martin Booth, is a beautifully written memoir about a British boy growing up in post-war 1950s Hong Kong. The young Booth is torn between a mother who embraces all things Chinese and a father who is appalled by his family “going native”, and so he decides to explore the British colony alone.
In his adventures, Booth befriends rickshaw coolies, picks up an impressive amount of street Cantonese and even wanders accidentally into the forbidden Kowloon Walled City.
Best Quote
“The sun was low and hidden behind a summit surmounted by a copse of radio aerials: the riot of neon in the streets to the east and on Kowloon-side started to come alive in readiness for the approaching twilight. The last rays of sun tinged the top of the Nine Dragons. In fifteen minutes, it was night, the lights of the colony shimmering in the heat.”
2. Hong Kong Noir: Fifteen true tales from the dark side of the city
Hong Kong Noir is a series of short stories by retired pathologist Feng Chi-shun, who was once the owner of a dive bar in a rough part of town called Kowloon City, which was infamously home to triad gangs.
During that time, he heard a lot of stories: details of the gruesome Hello Kitty murder, what the taxi driver from hell did to his passengers and how an old movie star managed to fool hundreds of people during his final performance, to name but a few.
Best Quote
“Their stories are based on what really happened in their lives. There is no need to fictionalize their stories in any way – they are already stranger than fiction.”
Hong Kong Novels
Narrowing down the most popular novels set in Hong Kong was not an easy feat, but I managed to squeeze three of them in here.
However, you’ll have to forgive me because all three of these Hong Kong novels follow the cliche of a white man falling in love with a local or Eurasian woman. But all three are still good books, I promise! Here are my top picks for fiction set in Hong Kong:
3. The World of Suzie Wong
The World of Suzie Wong, by Richard Mason, is an unconventional love story between a British artist and a Chinese prostitute. The story is mostly set in the notorious Nam Kok Hotel, based on the real-life Luk Kwok Hotel in Wan Chai.
A cross between Pretty Woman and Moulin Rouge!, this story was later turned into a successful film.
Best Quote
“‘But everyone makes up stories for themselves, Suzie,’ I said. ‘We’re all pretending to ourselves all the time about something or other – only we’re not usually honest enough to admit it like you.’”
4. A Many-Splendored Thing
A Many-Splendored Thing by, Han Suyin, is a pseudo-autobiographical fiction about the relationship between a married British foreign correspondent and a Eurasian doctor. The plot follows their forbidden love and the following adversity they face from Hong Kong society.
And if you’re humming Love is a Many-Splendored Thing by the Four Aces right now that’s because the song accompanied the film adaptation of this book (though Han reportedly hated it).
Best Quote
“Harbour of many ships, haven of people from China, squatter’s colony, fun fair, bazaar and boom town. Hong Kong, where people come and go and know themselves more impermanent than anywhere else on earth. Beautiful island of many worlds in the arms of the sea. Hong Kong. And China just beyond the hills.”
5. The Piano Teacher
The Piano Teacher, by Janice Y. K. Lee, follows two love stories; the affair of a Eurasian socialite and a British expat just before World War II, and later between the same man and a newlywed British expat, post-war.
This novel is about the battle between love and survival, and against the horrors of Japanese-occupied Hong Kong. Lee is also the author of The Expatriates, another critically acclaimed novel set in Hong Kong.
Best Quote
“And in the end, I think, we’re all just trying to survive, aren’t we?”
The Best Books About Hong Kong
For more reviews of the best books about Hong Kong, you can also read 10 English-Language Books Everyone in Hong Kong Should Read, which I wrote for Coconuts a couple of years ago. For more about my time living in the SAR, have a read of What’s it like living in Hong Kong?, my tearful farewell to the city in Hong Kong Swan Song, or anything from my HK archives.
Do you agree with my top five books set in HK? Do you have more suggestions of Hong Kong novels that didn’t make it here? Let me know in the comments below.
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I’m always looking for new books to inspire wanderlust so I’ll have to download some of these.I like the look of ‘The World of Suzie Wong’ and ‘The Piano Teacher’.
Love this idea – I haven’t opened a book in way too long, blame the blogging! These sound like fab reads.
New books are full of new experiences. I am a book reader. I read 3 of the books that you suggested. Thanks a lot for sharing those.