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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
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
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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Chinese overseas

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

American cinema

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

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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.

American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest recently wrote a kids book with his little sister Meredith Seacrest Leach. Photo: @ryanseacrest/Instagram
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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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’.

Alex Bruesewitz, who just fainted on stage at a Republican event, is one of Trump’s biggest supporters. Photo: @alexbruesewitz/Instagram
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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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.

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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The Cyberspace Administration of China pledges to clean up video content that could be harmful to China’s youth. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

Colombian Nobel Prize for Literature 1982 Gabriel Garcia Marquez (L) leans out of the window of the train upon arrival at his hometown Aracataca, Colombia 30 May, 2007. Garcia Marquez hadn’t visited Aracataca in twenty years. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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.

Ruby Lin and Zhao Wei in a still from My Fair Princess, a television adaptation of a popular romance novel of the same name by late Taiwanese writer Chiung Yao.
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?

J.K. Rowling is married to Neil Murray and shares two children with him, including Mackenzie (pictured). Photos: FilmMagic, Getty Images
Hong Kong

PostMag Christmas gift guide: 9 ideas for your “could be better” aunt

From a calendar for a beauty expert and a festive luxury hamper to chocolate truffles, chen pi, sparkling tea and a home-grown all-use cologne.

Chinese culture

Obituary | Chiung Yao, Taiwanese romance novelist, dies aged 86

Writer known for novels including My Fair Princess reportedly leaves suicide note saying ‘I choose this way to go home gracefully’.

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Japan

Why Japanese author Mieko Kanai charms readers overseas, but not at home

Mieko Kanai was seen as a contender for the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, but in Japan her books are rarely even reviewed.

Mieko Kanai, a prominent Japanese writer and essayist, is more popular overseas than in Japan. Photo: Stone Bridge Press
Fame and celebrity

Oprah Winfrey starts new YouTube podcast and shares book club pick

In partnership with Starbucks, The Oprah Podcast started with Winfrey’s latest book club pick, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan.

K-pop idols

Korean author on being your true self, as her hit guide appears in English

K-pop stars helped Kim Su-hyun’s I Decided to Live as Me fly off shelves in Asia. An English translation may help more find their own path.

Hong Kong

PostMag Christmas gift guide: 10 ideas for your favourite couple

From eco-friendly bedding and bamboo sheets, to handmade incense and festive perfume, here are 10 picks for that one couple closest to your heart.

The Coravin Timeless Six+ bottle preservation system is among our recommended gifts for couples. Photo: Coravin
SCMP Highlights

Recap | Explore Fan Ho’s iconic Portrait of Hong Kong photos from his final book

Discover captivating images by renowned photographer Fan Ho, who was known as the ‘Cartier-Bresson of the East’, showcasing Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s.

“In Deep Thought”. Photo: Fan Ho / Blue Lotus Gallery
Hong Kong

PostMag Christmas gift guide: 8 ideas for your trendiest friend

From stylish bamboo bags to limited-edition watches and, yes, a map, here are 8 thoughtful suggestions for the trendiest person on your gift list.

Taiwan

How a Jesuit priest and Chinese literary icon Sanmao found love beyond romance

Father Barry Martinson and Chinese literary legend Sanmao’s friendship blossomed into a deep connection, marked by shared passions and mutual support.

Food and Drinks

How tinned seafood has gone gourmet, handpacked and charmingly packaged

‘Tin-fluencers’ have helped change the food’s image, moving customers away from low quality, mass-produced brands to more sustainable artisanal-style producers.

An illustration from the book Tin to Table: Fancy, Snacky Recipes for Tin-thusiasts and A-fish-ionados by Anna Hezel. Photo: Chronicle
Fame and celebrity

Who is Prince’s first wife, choreographer and actress Mayte Garcia?

They may have divorced long before Prince died, but Mayte Garcia had the singer’s baby and was the subject of his hit The Most Beautiful Girl in the World

Prince’s first wife, Mayte Garcia, recently sold the rights to her memoir for a biopic slated to get made next year. Photos: @maytejannell/Instagram; Getty
Food and Drinks

Chefs say understanding flavour is their holy grail. This book defines it

Dr Arielle Johnson on why she wrote Flavorama – A Guide to Unlocking the Art and Science of Flavour and how she is bringing science to food.

Old Hong Kong

How one man’s fascination with an abandoned building created the Fringe Club

In his new book, Benny Chia, founder of The Fringe Club, recounts his obsession with a building that became the heart of Hong Kong’s cultural life

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