Fruit Dreams and Other Asian Stories

by Roseanne Thong

Fruit Dreams & Other Asian Stories is a vivid and compelling debut collection of the various voices that make up Hong Kong, China and nearby communities. Thirteen stories deal with the everyday lives of everyday people, set against such backdrops as SARS, illegal immigration and Falun Gong protests. The stories are populated by a rich cast of an aged woman hoards visual imagery in the face of failing eyesight, a handsome expatriate prefers voyeurism to working, and a journalist believes fruit can help her to attract an older man. This collection highlights frustrations and joys that are both universal and exotic. In Paying the Price, a noodle vendor refuses to pay a senseless entry fee; in Subtitles, an expatriate woman finds clarity among chaos in Malaysia; an in The Marriage, a student is inextricably bound by spirit and fate to his dead brother. Roseanne Thong writes as both a passionate outsider and, after fifteen years of living and working in Asia, an informed insider. If you've lived or traveled in the region, Fruit Dreams And Other Asian Stories will resonate with strong emotions. If you haven't, let these stories guide you on your first visit.

172 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2006

About the author

Also writes as Roseanne Greenfield Thong.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising little collection of stories, mostly set in Hong Kong and all with a pleasing Asian touch. The cover didn't inspire much enthusiasm and the first story wasn't my favorite of the bunch - but the whole collection is diverse, presents Asian life from a variety of points of view, and offers some really interesting insights into life in Hong Kong. Love the twist in 'The Caller'.