The Hong Kong Modernism of Leung Ping-kwan

(Hardback)

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This book resolves around the fundamental question, What is Hong Kong modernism To address this issue, C.T. Au identifies three significant characteristics: a renewal of traditions, an obsession with ordinary things, and an expression of concerns about social and political issues, shared among Western modernisms, Chinese modernism in the 1940s, and such Hong Kong modernists as Ma Lang, Liu Yichang, and Leung Ping-kwan (Yasi/Ye Si). This research concentrates on an examination of the major modernist tenets embodied in Leungs literary works. Leung Ping-kwan is one of the most prominent and widely read Hong Kong modernist writers; however, there exist only a few scholarly works which focus on the direct relationship between Leungs works and modernisms. The author argues that Leung paid special attention to issues regarding tradition, daily life, and colonial culture in order to understand his past, his identity, and the unique features of Hong Kong modernism, which celebrate multiple perspectives and inclusiveness. This study not only helps differentiate Hong Kong modernism from other modernismspositioning the former as a variant of the latterbut also provides a response to the problems evoked by Hong Kongs colonial milieu.

Reviews

Why is the story of Hong Kong so difficult to tell This is certainly one of the most widely cited questions raised by Leung Ping-kwan. Through his creative as well as critical pursuits, the Hong Kong writer and scholar answered this so imaginatively and intelligently that his own story is also far from easy to tell. In The Hong Kong Modernism of Leung Ping-Kwan, the authorprovides a thorough guide to some of what has remained hidden about his work. Rich with compelling insights, this book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the late grandmaster of Hong Kong literature and culture. -- Yiu-Wai Chu, The University of Hong Kong

Author Bio

Au Chung To is assistant professor at the Education University of Hong Kong.