I came across this book titled "Gweilo" by Martin Booth. In this book, Booth recounts his childhood from when he was 7 years old until 10 living in Hong Kong. It was very nostalgic reading this piece of literature. Being a China Hand, I envy Booth's childhood adventures; exploring the streets of Mong Kok, discovering wartime relics at the Peak, frolicking in the beaches of Hong Kong, trying boiled beetles and the like, he just never ran out of adventures. I could only wish I had half the childhood that he had.
The curious thing was how he remembered all this this vividly and at such a young age his curiosity and powers of observation were very perceptive. Nevertheless, the memoir was entertaining, funny and above all, worth reading.
I give it a five out of five.
This book was written as a memoir after the author was diagnosed with brain cancer. He wrote it for his children. Martin Booth died shortly after completing the book in February 2004.
Upon reading the book, my passion to move to Hong Kong is as alive as ever. I am now really preapred and will do anything possible to move to Hong Kong, my dream city.
