Living in Hong Kong - Suggested Reading
  Jul 14 2017

We have put together the following list of books, websites and Chinese movies to help learn more about Hong Kong, its history and multi-cultural and faceted society.  It’s by no means exhaustive, but we hope it’s a good starting point!

 

 

 

 

 

Works depicting Hong Kong, its history and multi-cultural society

Fiction

HANGMAN’S POINT

A mystery thriller and historical fiction set in mid-19th century colonial HK

Dean Barrett

NOBLE HOUSE & TAI PAN

Considered by many to be the quintessential novels on colonial HK. Set in the 1850’s & 1960’s respectively.

James Clavell                                    

LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING

An accurate portrait of the complex relationship between Caucasians and Chinese living in1940’s Hong Kong.

Han Su Yin

CITY OF THE QUEEN

The saga of a family set against colonial Hong Kong from the late 19th century to the eve of the Handover in 1997.

Shi Shu-Ching

KOWLOON TONG

This famous travel writer pens a fictional tale that captures the pre-1997 attitudes (and fears) of British denizens prior to the Handover.

Paul Theroux

NIGHT OF MANY DREAMS

The story of sisters growing up in mid-20th C Hong Kong against a backdrop of the change that was taking place at that time.

Gail Tsukiyama

THE FENG SHUI DETECTIVE series

A humorous set of detective stories written by Hong Kong’s favorite satirist.

Nury Vittachi

 

Non-Fiction

CULTURE SHOCK

This introduction to living in Hong Kong has been dedicated to Beverly Sunn in recognition of Asia Pacific Properties’ efforts in helping families bridge their cultural differences and settle happily in Hong Kong.
Wei Peh-t’i                                                                          

CHINESE FESTIVALS IN HONG KONG

Despite its ultra-modernity, Chinese traditions are keenly observed in Hong Kong.  This book guides the reader through the year.
Barbara E. Ward                                       

A MODERN HISTORY OF HONG KONG

Written in 2007, this history includes an analysis of the changing relationship between Hong Kong and China.

Steve Tsang
HONG KONG METAMORPHOSIS

Story of Hong Kong’s emergence from near death after WWII to become one of Asia’s major cities, as told by an Englishman raised in China.

Dennis Bray

CITY BETWEEN WORLDS: MY HONG KONG

An insider’s view of Hong Kong with all its multi-faceted complexity.

Leo Ou-fan

 

Nonfiction Reading on China and the Region

CAMBRIDGE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF CHINA 

An overview of China from pre-historic times to the modern communist state.

Patricia B. Ebrey 

IMPERIAL CHINA FROM 900 TO 1800

A most comprehensive and authoritative representations of China’s history.

Frederick W. Mote

MOON YEAR

This reprint of a 1927 edition is not only a record of Chinese customs and festivals but also acts as a register of changes that occurred in 20th century China.

Juliet Bredon & 
Igor Mitrophanow                                         

HEAVEN IS HIGH & THE EMPORER FAR AWAY: MERCHANTS & MANDARINS IN OLD CANTON

A richly illustrated text recounting the history of Canton.

Valery M. Garrett

MACAO STREETS

A photographic and descriptive history of Macau’s development through a study of the hand-painted street signs.

Cesar Guillen-Nunez

VOICES OF MACAO STONES

Personal and colorful stories of individuals, events and circumstances, researched and told by two of its most highly respected and well-loved denizens.

Lindsay & May Ride

 

Chinese Works Translated into English

THE DEER AND THE CAULDRON

In three volumes, a traditional martial arts novel set in mid-17th century Imperial China, written by the foremost writer of Chinese picaresque novels.

Louis Cha
translated by J. Minford                           

THE JUDGE DEE SERIES 

Set in the 7th century, this crafty & clever Confucian magistrate, like the Mounties, always got his man – a series of twelve.

Robert van Gulik

ANTHOLOGY OF CHINESE LITERATURE: TO 14TH CENTURY

Spans a two thousand year period of Chinese literature.  

Cyril Birch &
Donald Keene

HOW TO READ CHINESE POETRY, A GUIDED ANTHOLOGY

A guide to Chinese poetry from antiquity to modern times.

Zong-ci Cai, editor

MY FAVORITE CHINESE STORIES RETOLD FOR YOUNG READERS

A collection of three widely known Chinese stories specially selected and retold in English for young readers of twelve and over.  

Pamela Youde

 

Special Interests  

A COOK’S GUIDE TO CHINESE VEGETABLES

Descriptions, illustrations, Chinese & English names and even recipes are included in this most useful tool.
Martha Dahlen

THE ARCHEOLOGY OF HONG KONG

A general overview of what archeologists have discovered in Hong Kong since investigations began in the 1920s.  Evidence points to a pre-historic occupation that dates back 7.000 years.
William Meacham

ABOVE THE CITY – HIKING IN HONG KONG

An informative reference to discovering what Hong Kong has to offer - on and off the trodden path.
Alicia Kershaw & Ginger Thrast                                

BORN TO SHOP

A perennial favorite for those out to find the next bargain.
Suzy Gershman

HONG KONG COMICS

An illustrative history of Hong Kong “manhua” comics from its beginnings in the early 20th century.
Wendy Siuyi Wong

HONG KONG ART: CULTURE & DECOLONIZATION

The first comprehensive survey of the local contemporary art scene, presented within the changing social and political context of the handover back to China.

David Clarke

 

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