Abstract:
The development of Hong Kong's literary scene has been strongly influenced by the peculiar historical experience of this territory.
Its social, political and cultural circumstances have always been closely intertwined with the process of developing its own identity and boosted the birth of its literature.
Hong Kong has often been considered a "cultural desert" and its works have not received adequate consideration. In fact, emphasis has been placed on the idea of "capitalist metropolis", where only popular literature could exist. Moreover, until the ‘60s, the local literary scene was mostly promoted by migrant writers from mainland China or Taiwan.
This situation changed since the ‘60s, when the imminent return of the British colony to Mainland China spread anxiety among people. The urgent need to find a self identity gave rise to a debate among intellectuals and writers. Under these circumstances a "Hong Kong consciousness" developed and the idea of an independent "Hong Kong literature" became more and more accepted.
A glance at the literature of the ‘70s and ‘80s allows to observe how this complex consciousness grew and found its own voice. Especially after the handover, the younger generations of writers experienced a new sense of loss and estrangement from one's own place, which drove to a so-called “alienated” literature.
Born in the ‘70s, Tse Hiu-hung and Hon Lai-chu belong to this generation of writers. Their works have often been described as surreal or dreamlike; a closer look shows how their short novels are in fact deeply rooted in their contemporary urban reality and, above all, sensitive to its transformations. Within the two authors’ imaginary cities, concepts such as subjectivity, family, home or human relationships are often ephemeral. Nonetheless, their constant quest for new spaces and identities provides a glimpse of hope for surviving the uncertain turn of events.
Trough their poetic and yet strong voices, Hon Lai-chu and Tse Hiu-hung take part in the process of developing a local literary identity, perfectly fitting with the experimental and creative tradition of Hong Kong literature.
