Ask The Author - Chris Howard

As a group of avid readers in the LRP team we are very happy to have recently expanded our book offering online and in the showroom. We knew you would be interested in finding out more about some of the wonderful authors and illustrators who have created the ones we've selected. All books have a Hong Kong theme whether it be written or illustrated by someone who lives here or is about the city, the stories and the history of the place so many of us call home.

We have created a series of Ask The Author blog posts where we ask the same three questions (with an added bonus one at the end!) to find out more about their connection to the city, what their book is all about, what inspires them and their favourite things to see and do in the 852.

About you

I came to Hong Kong in the summer of 1974 with my family: Joan and Diane then aged 3. I had just completed my specialist paediatric training in Liverpool and was ready for a challenge and a change. The chance of joining a medical practice in Hong Kong came at the right moment and from the start I was encouraged by my new boss in my work and soon had a busy following of patients. 

When I started to write my book, Tales of Two Cities, it was to be about my life in Hong Kong but it needed more of an introduction of myself and so the first part of the book is set in Liverpool where I chose and learned my profession. 

The book continues until I decided to retire in 1997. 

If the book encourages just one young person to follow a life in medicine I would be happy. I think though that medical practice is now so different from my experience that I wanted to describe how we worked in those days as well as bringing to life some of the wonderful characters I met. 

Favourite thing to do or see in Hong Kong

Asian food of course. The cool of the autumn with long walks in the hills. Firm friendships. The sailing. The freedom to practice medicine as best I could. 

Most recently racing a Flying 15 in the Harbour, surely one of the trickiest race venues on the planet! But at other times and with other boats over 40 plus years I’ve loved days and nights anchored off islands in the New Territories or racing on stormy nights or just a lunch on Lamma or Po Toi.