First published 2002
In 1930s Hong Kong, a young Englishman arrives seeking fortune in a city poised between colonial rule and imminent transformation. His path intertwines with a Chinese woman navigating complex cultural boundaries and a businessman riding the turbulent waves of economic revolution. As World War II erupts and political upheaval reshapes the landscape, each character must adapt, survive, and redefine their identity against Hong Kong's relentless metamorphosis. Their stories weave together through personal ambition, unexpected connections, and the brutal currents of historical change. Lanchester traces how individual lives are swept along by larger forces, revealing the intricate human drama behind a city's extraordinary evolution.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, family-saga, historical-fiction
Setting: Hong Kong (China)
Period: 20th Century
299 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Faber & Faber Ltd