New York Tales (2): Hong Kong on the Hudson

 

She consistently speaks and writes in the present tense, a style embraced by her book club without hesitation. After all, she has recently discussed J.M. Coetzee's "Waiting For The Barbarians,'' a novel set in the past yet narrated in the present tense. Literature excels at defying conventions, she muses. And who is better to challenge norms than Coetzee, a Nobel Laureate in Literature?

Literature is her refuge; America, not so much. "We asylum seekers are condemned to a long waiting game," she confides in her smartphone AI in Cantonese. The clamor of the subway drowns out her soft voice, as she intends.

Emerging above ground, she steps into a radiant summer day in Lower Manhattan. Gazing out at the sparkling lights dancing on the Hudson River, memories of tear gas and democracy chants flood back to her. She continues walking among familiar strangers.


Author: renqiulan

 

 

This is a snapshot of the experiences of

the Hong Kong diaspora following the events of 2019, a year

to remember.

Indeed, 2019 is a year to remember. Hi, renqiulan!

What's up, Blue Soul? Thank you for stopping by!

I am not surprised that 2019 rings a bell to you.

确实是忘不了、抹不掉的悲痛回忆。

就像我们还未出生的1989年？

对。两个年头，两个悲情城市的诞生。

秋兰，看过侯孝贤那部《悲情城市》么？

看过。那时候在香港，有朋友给我stream过。但是不十分看懂。当然，历史背景是略知一二的。

记得梁朝伟所饰演的角色吗？

记得他的角色是一名不肯哑忍暴政的聋哑人士，给我的印象很深。

Same here.

"She consistently speaks and writes in the present tense"

Your opening grabbed my attention immediately.

That's great to hear! I was hoping for a strong start.

What makes J.M. Coetzee's "Waiting for the Barbarians" so

compelling to you?

It's a powerful exploration of power, morality,

and the human condition. Coetzee's novel, mind you, is a

challenging read, but the anatomy of colonialism is

thought=provoking. I can go on and on.

Haha. It's getting late, so I should probably let you go.

This conversation has flown by. I'll talk to you later.

Love your English, qiulan, concise and to the point.

Who is she?

I'm glad you like it. It means a lot coming from you.

She's someone I know from a book club. Thank you.

I see . nice writing. thanks

Welcome! BTW, I'm always looking for ways to improve.