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
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HANGMAN’S POINT A mystery thriller and historical fiction set in mid-19th century colonial HK |
Dean Barrett |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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THE FENG SHUI DETECTIVE series A humorous set of detective stories written by Hong Kong’s favorite satirist. |
Nury Vittachi |
Non-Fiction
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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.
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Wei Peh-t’i |
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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.
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Barbara E. Ward |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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CAMBRIDGE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF CHINA An overview of China from pre-historic times to the modern communist state. |
Patricia B. Ebrey |
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IMPERIAL CHINA FROM 900 TO 1800 A most comprehensive and authoritative representations of China’s history. |
Frederick W. Mote |
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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
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HEAVEN IS HIGH & THE EMPORER FAR AWAY: MERCHANTS & MANDARINS IN OLD CANTON A richly illustrated text recounting the history of Canton. |
Valery M. Garrett |
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MACAO STREETS A photographic and descriptive history of Macau’s development through a study of the hand-painted street signs. |
Cesar Guillen-Nunez |
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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
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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
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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 |
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ANTHOLOGY OF CHINESE LITERATURE: TO 14TH CENTURY Spans a two thousand year period of Chinese literature. |
Cyril Birch &
Donald Keene
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HOW TO READ CHINESE POETRY, A GUIDED ANTHOLOGY A guide to Chinese poetry from antiquity to modern times. |
Zong-ci Cai, editor |
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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
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A COOK’S GUIDE TO CHINESE VEGETABLES
Descriptions, illustrations, Chinese & English names and even recipes are included in this most useful tool.
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Martha Dahlen |
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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.
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William Meacham |
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ABOVE THE CITY – HIKING IN HONG KONG
An informative reference to discovering what Hong Kong has to offer - on and off the trodden path.
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Alicia Kershaw & Ginger Thrast |
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BORN TO SHOP
A perennial favorite for those out to find the next bargain.
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Suzy Gershman |
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HONG KONG COMICS
An illustrative history of Hong Kong “manhua” comics from its beginnings in the early 20th century.
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Wendy Siuyi Wong |
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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 |