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Books and literature

Books and literature
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Books and literature. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Tarlan Amigh holds items from her vast collection of Hong Kong memorabilia at her home in the city. Many items have been handcrafted using techniques passed down through generations. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong culture

Her 1,000-piece collection of Hong Kong memorabilia tells the city’s story

From dolls, ceramics and vintage textiles to posters, books and souvenirs, Tarlan Amigh is on a mission to tell the real story of Hong Kong.

Food and Drinks

British-Chinese author’s hopes for her A to Z of Chinese food

History

UK security service MI5 to reveal some of its secrets in exhibition

Fame and celebrity

Who is Skip Bayless’ long-time wife, the PR guru Ernestine Sclafani Bayless?

Who is Skip Bayless’ wife, amid allegations the former sportscaster made unwanted sexual advances toward a Fox News employee?

Ernestine Sclafani Bayless and Skip Bayless pictured together in 2020. Photo: @ernestine.sclafani.bayless/Instagram
Art

How Jimmy Carter’s art shows a different side to late US president

He favoured woodwork over golf, made chairs and painted artworks that sold for thousands. Art is part of the late US president’s legacy.

Fame and celebrity

Meet poet Terrance Hayes, who is rumoured to be dating Padma Lakshmi – again

They dated briefly in 2021 and were seen together numerous times in 2024; Hayes is a well-known literary figure and has 2 children from a previous marriage, to fellow poet Yona Harvey.

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South Korea

New Korean books in English to look forward to in 2025

Nobel Prize laureate Han Kang’s translated novel We Do Not Part leads a strong line-up of new English-language Korean literature this year.

(From left) Counterattacks at Thirty by Won-pyung Sohn, We Do Not Part by Han Kang, and A Thousand Blues by Cheon Seon-ran are among the many English-language Korean books to look forward to in 2025. Photo: Harper Collins/Penguin
Fame and celebrity

Meet Harlan Coben, the bestselling author behind Netflix show Missing You

Netflix just released Missing You, adapted from powerhouse author Harlan Coben’s novel of the same name, making it the ninth such project on the platform – so who is he?

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

4 notable Monkey King adaptations in Hong Kong cinema. One stars Donnie Yen

We recall Journey to the West film adaptations, from Stephen Chow’s turn in the title role to one in which Donnie Yen plays the Monkey King.

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Author Ian Rankin on his favourite books and being a ‘frustrated rock star’

The writer of the Inspector Rebus novels talks about his new book Midnight and Blue, being an author, and books that have given him pleasure.

Ian Rankin, author of the bestselling Inspector Rebus novels, reveals his favourite book, what he’s reading now and more.
Profile

Melanie Cheng on leaving Australia for Hong Kong, and becoming a doctor and author

The Australian GP and writer talks about meeting other girls ‘like her’ and the magic of writing a passion project.

Australian-born Melanie Cheng moved to Hong Kong with her family when she was seven. Photo: Courtesy of Melanie Cheng
Artificial intelligence

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is profiled in new biography by Chinese journalist

Zhou, founder of tech media Pandaily, personally knew Altman a decade ago at Stanford and interviewed him in November 2023.

Crime in China

Chinese police target writers of gay erotica with prison terms and heavy fines

The crackdown in Anhui has triggered debates about possible abuses of power and whether the law itself is too heavy-handed.

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American cinema

How Chinese film fans embraced Cloud Atlas, movie spurned elsewhere

The Wachowkis and Tom Tykwer’s adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel was a box-office flop everywhere except China, despite a starry cast.

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Tom Hanks and Raevan Lee Hanan in a still from Cloud Atlas. The 2012 film by the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer, based on David Mitchell’s novel, flopped everywhere except China, despite fans there seeing an edited version. Photo: Warner Bros
Chinese overseas

Our favourite PostMag long reads of 2024, from Taiwan’s disco era to the HKO

A Shanghai nurse’s drug smuggling saga, to a thriving Chinese family in a US town, and more.

One of our recommended long reads this year is a piece that investigates how Taiwan came to embrace the Western music genre of disco, and its impact on Mandopop. Photo: CYP
American cinema

Copyrights on Popeye, Tintin, Singin’ in the Rain start expiring in 2025

The sailor and boy detective can be reproduced without permission from 2025, but some details, like Tintin’s red hair, are still copyrighted.

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Celebrity Families

Meet Ryan Seacrest’s younger sister and collaborator, Meredith Seacrest Leach

Ryan Seacrest has spoken about how he used to pretend to be Bon Jovi and his little sister would play Madonna when they were growing up – now their make believe has inspired a children’s book.

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Meet bestselling author Elisabeth Ovesen, who’s weighing in on Jay-Z and Diddy

Elisabeth Ovesen is adding her 2 cents to the conversation about Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ alleged bad behaviour, saying they’re no different from Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein.

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Elisabeth Ovesen (right) has said she’s not surprised by the spiralling allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs (left). Photos: Reuters, WireImage
Animals

Hong Kong ‘snake bible’ author on why you should learn to fear them less

The coming Year of the Snake is a great time to learn more about them, says Adam Francis, an enthusiast for the reptiles and for Hong Kong.

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Donald Trump

Who is Donald Trump’s Gen Z adviser, Alex Bruesewitz – who fainted on stage?

Donald Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz suddenly collapsed at a New York Young Republican gala on Sunday night, but is recovering well; the author is one of Trump’s ‘strongest and most loyal supporters’.

Women and gender

Opinion | Chiung Yao’s celebration of women’s freedom goes deeper than her paeans to love

As Chinese women embrace feminism, the writer’s final celebration of her independence perhaps resonates more deeply than her love stories.

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Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao, who died at the age of 86, after reportedly committing suicide at her home in New Taipei City on December 4. Photo: Weibo/ 会火
Chinese culture

How snake went from evil temptress to righteous demon in Chinese mythology

The best known Chinese folk representation of snakes is the Legend of the White Snake. The snake’s role in it has gone from bad to good.

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Nüwa, the creator deity in Chinese folklore, is often depicted with a human head and serpent-like body. Photo: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
China’s Communist Party

China stamps out AI misuse to preserve national literature and ideology

Beijing seeks to balance AI use to boost the economy while combating deepfakes, digital misinformation and altering of public perception.

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Tourism

Walk in Gabriel García Márquez’s footsteps on a trip through Colombia

See where García Márquez got the inspiration for magical realist novels including One Hundred Years of Solitude, now a Netflix miniseries.

Asian diaspora

China’s ‘most famous woman’ on a career spent introducing it to the world

Her TV shows gave US viewers tastes of Asia and brought the world to Chinese homes. Yue-Sai Kan talks bridging the gap between East and West.

Television presenter, entrepreneur and philanthropist Yue-Sai Kan was called “the most famous woman in China” by People Magazine. Photo: Courtesy of Fadil Berisha
Fashion

Christmas 2024 gift guide: elegant pieces from Cartier, Gucci and Hermès

Chloé and Tod’s apparel as well as an Assouline book for the coffee table round out a wish list of premium present ideas for your loved ones.

Frame x Ritz Paris collection
Asian cinema

5 notable screen adaptations of Chiung Yao romance novels

More than 70 adaptations of the prolific Taiwanese romance author’s books were made for TV and cinema. Some made stars of their cast members.

Celebrity children

Who are J.K. Rowling’s 3 ultra-private children – Jessica, Mackenzie and David?

Harry Potter fans are counting down the days (well, years) until the release of HBO’s TV series adaptation of the famous books by J.K. Rowling – but who are her children?

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