In this episode of Hong Kong Lit Club, Julia welcomes acclaimed author Xu Xi to discuss her short story collection, Horizon Hong Kong. Spanning six decades of Hong Kong's history from the 1960s to the present, the collection examines the city's drastic transformation through the intimate lives of diverse, memorable characters. Xu Xi reflects on the unique artistic demands of short fiction, her process of shaping narrative scope, and how storytelling captures the complex realities beneath Hong Kong's public reputation as an Asian financial hub.

Xu Xi also opens up about her personal journey as a transnational writer living between New York, Hong Kong, and beyond. She shares insights on writing through the eyes of children versus adults, navigating colonial social divides, and exploring the dark undercurrents of urban life. The conversation offers a compelling look at how literature preserves disappearing landscapes and gives voice to marginalized stories amidst historical shifts.

Useful Links

• Follow Xu Xi: Website | Instagram
• Click here to read an excerpt of TST, the short story discussed in this episode.
• Cha: An Asian Literary Journal has published reviews of Horizon hong Kong by four different critics; you can read them here.
• Do you enjoy the Hong Kong Lit Club podcast? Follow for more episodes: Website | Instagram