The Guardian’s Top 10 books set in Hong Kong

A list appeared in the Guardian of their top ten books set in Hong Kong. Not a bad list though misses possibly a few newer titles such as Francesca’s Brill’s The Harbour. The most obvious missing book is Richard Mason’s The World of Suzie Wong which has consistently sold well in Hong Kong bookshops and is now available in a lovely re-issue from Penguin with its original cover art. But maybe Guardian types are a bit squeamish about Suzie Wong? I’m not sold on Gweilo, a little too advanced recall and knowingness for a young boy I feel about that one. I’ll go for most of the others though personally I find Han Suyin a bit tiresome. On the other hand I do like Jane Gardam’s The Man in the Wooden Hat (and Old Filth), both of which are very much in the same vein as Theroux’s Hong Kong book.