As a reader looking at the Hong Kong literary scene through foreign eyes ,I've been impressed by the diversity and liveliness of the local writing community.It's as if the writers here are always looking at life from a fresh perspective of reinvention, taking a fresh look at life. In this first post I'd like to talk about a fairly recent publication which I would highly recommend -Imprint'-the annual anthology of the Hong Kong Women in Publishing Society.
The main strength of this type of writing is its diversity and the collection is neatly divided into different sections covering short stories,poetry,book excerpts etc.so it's easy to find what you're in the mood for.It's highly recommended for those who want to find out more about Hong Kong's new writers.
There's far too much to choose from to pick out the best pieces of writing but some of my own personal favourites were 'Terence Connolly is Dead" by Elsie Sze,an epitaph to a reporter in a violent world,"Stressed Out'By Shobha Nihalani,with its humorous reflections on life in fast-paced Hong Kong,as well as "Groovy Tracks' by Cecilie Gamst Berg,an entertaining account of an epic trip on the Chinese railway.
It’s also an opportunity to get a preview of some work in progress such as Lavinia Chang's 'To Be a Boy' ,an insightful view of war through the eyes of a child.
The main feeling we get from this collection is a sense of place and a sense of possibility.
I'd recommend this collections to all readers who want to think a little more about their lives in Hong Kong and to all aspiring writers.
