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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.
Women, dressed in traditional Chinese outfits, seen in Beijing on January 14, 2026. Photo: AFP
Chinese culture

As I see it | How to win friends and influence people in ancient China

Although the ancient text Guiguzi may not be widely read, its contents remain a prescient guide for job interviews, marketing and even diplomacy.

Fame and celebrity

Meet RoseMarie Terenzio, close friend of JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette

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Luxury brands

A new monograph celebrates the storied legacy of shoemaker Roger Vivier

The Netherlands

Lost remains of French musketeer d’Artagnan may have been found in Dutch church

DNA testing is under way to verify ⁠the skeleton. D’Artagnan, fictionalised in Alexandre ⁠Dumas’ novel The ⁠Three Musketeers, died in 1673.

An excavation pit opened in the floor at the Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht, Netherlands, where archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the skeletal remains of musketeer d’Artagnan. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

Who was Lauren Bessette, Carolyn Bessette’s sister who died with her?

Ryan Murphy’s Love Story charts the whirlwind romance between Carolyn and JFK Jr – and new episodes feature Lauren Bessette, played by Sydney Lemmon.

Locals' Guide

Insider’s guide to Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Derelict houses reborn as hip cafes and a showcase for local fashion talent are some of the draws in Johor’s capital, actress Debbie Goh reveals.

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Food and Drinks

The ‘soju artist’ teaching the world to drink soju with an English guide

‘Soju artist’ Kim Wan-jun has published the English translation of his book on the drink’s history, etiquettes and social rituals.

Kim Wan-jun is the author of How to Drink Soju: A Guide to K-Drinking Culture & Games, a 300-page book now translated into English. Photo: Instagram/funnyjun_
China society

As I see it | Rescuing a key Confucian text from centuries of ignominy

The release of an authoritative translation of Kongzi Jia Yu finally places a once-suspected forgery among the traditional canon.

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Art

They were both couriers. One wrote a bestselling book, the other made a film

I Deliver Parcels in Beijing author Hu Anyan and videographer Kong Yiu-wing talk about making art out of hard, blue-collar labour.

Fame and celebrity

Horrible stuff, some fun, then awful again: Christina Applegate’s life story

American actress Christina Applegate opens up about abuse, trauma and living with multiple sclerosis as she releases her memoir.

FILE - Christina Applegate appears at the Annual Backstage at the Geffen Gala in Los Angeles on March 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
Food and Drinks

Eat, read, discuss: welcome to the rise of literary dinners in Hong Kong

Food and books are being combined to turn a solitary pastime into a tasty one that fosters connection and discussion for Hongkongers.

Diane Wang (left) and Jess Cheung, founders of Gentle Books, attend a literary dinner event in Chai Wan, Hong Kong. The city is seeing a rise in book clubs and events pairing dining and reading. Photo: Dickson Lee
Fame and celebrity

Meet Sarah J. Maas, bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses

BookTok may have criticised her for a lack of representation and problematic themes in her works, but the Jewish writer has sold 75 million copies of her books.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Larry David’s daughter Cazzie David, who just published a new book

The eldest daughter of the Curb Your Enthusiasm star famously dated Pete Davidson before he moved on to Ariana Grande.

Art

‘Beautiful and unexpected’: join Pulitzer Prize winner on a Hong Kong stroll

‘Trust’ author Hernan Diaz talks about his lauded 1920s New York-set novel and architectural power symbols on his first visit to Hong Kong.

Pulitzer prize winner Hernan Diaz, in Central. Hernan Diaz is in the city for Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF). 03MAR26 SCMP / Jonathan Wong
Trending in China

China Qing era spawned female authors, poets, despite restrictions on women in arts

Like much of the world, China experienced a notable rise in women authorship during the 19th century, with three poets making a particularly profound impact.

The Qing era saw a rise in female authors, particularly poets, despite widespread restrictions on women in the arts. Photo: SCMP composite/Wikipedia/legacyprojectchicago.org
Tourism

Gripping samurai exhibition explores Japan’s warrior class, cuts through myths

From armour to art, ‘Samurai’ at the British Museum traces the Japanese elite class’ evolution and cultural impact, from anime to Star Wars.

Asian diaspora

How Asian-American couple’s Tubby Nugget went from silly doodle to viral fame

The husband-and-wife creators of Tubby Nugget reflect on their character’s incredible success as they release their first graphic novel.

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Hong Kong

War zones, jingles and litter picking – the HKILF’s literary legend visits

Weird and wonderful real-life tales of authors who have appeared at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, from Margaret Atwood to Salman Rushdie.

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival features a host of panel discussions with renowned authors. Photo: Handout
Wellness

Parents of Hong Kong’s ‘Girl Behind the Face’ finally share their story

Mui Thomas’s story of living with a rare skin disease has moved many. Now, her adoptive parents share why they ignored advice to ‘walk away’.

India

Indian author Amitav Ghosh publishes first novel in 7 years. Why so long?

Ahead of his Hong Kong International Literary Festival appearance, Ghosh talks about his new book Ghost-Eye and re-reading earlier works.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Charlotte Mellington, who plays young Catherine in Wuthering Heights

The 14-year-old stars in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel alongside Owen Cooper, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

Charlotte Mellington plays a young Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights. Photo: @charlotte_mellington/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How these 2 films became classics of Hong Kong’s Chinese folk opera cinema

Love Eterne and Dream of the Red Chamber are two very different ‘huangmei diao’ films from legendary Hong Kong director Li Han-hsiang.

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Betty Loh Ti (second from right) and Ivy Ling Po (right) in a still from The Love Eterne (1963), directed by Li Han-hsiang. Photo: Shaw Brothers Studio
American cinema

Why does Hollywood keep remaking old stories like Wuthering Heights?

Much like superhero reboots targeted at men, period drama remakes like Wuthering Heights continue to find favour with female audiences.

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My Life

He thought his life was a failure. Then he wrote it down.

The author of I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, a viral account of China’s gig economy, will appear at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival in March.

Fame and celebrity

Everything you need to know about Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell

The multihyphenate, whose bold take on the Emily Brontë novel is drawing controversy, also directed the critically acclaimed Saltburn.

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Emerald Fennell’s controversial take on Wuthering Heights is raising anticipation for the film Photos: AP, IMDb
American cinema

Review | Wuthering Heights: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi sizzle in modern moorcore

Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights captivates with stunning visuals in the Yorkshire Moors and sizzling chemistry between Elordi and Robbie.

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Jacob Elordi (left) and Margot Robbie in a still from Wuthering Heights (category IIB), directed by Emerald Fennell. Photo: Warner Bros Pictures
Photography

Milan’s most stylish: a photographer’s view of the city’s best dressed

Shots of Miuccia Prada, Luciano Barbera and the late Giorgio Armani and Franca Sozzani vie with those of ordinary people in The Sartorialist’s coffee-table book for Taschen.

Religion

Video | How an iconic Indian comic series stays ‘immortal’

The Indian comic series Amar Chitra Katha was created to teach children about the Hindu universe of gods, legends and history.

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