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.
This time we meet Di Lebowitz, author of A Hakka Woman.
About You
I’m Di Lebowitz, a Hong Kong native of mixed hertiage. I was born in Hong Kong and raised by my Hakka Paupau (maternal grandmother) before having to emigrate post ’97 in my mid-teens. My book, A Hakka Woman, is my retelling of my Paupau's incredible life journey from fleeing the Japanese to being sold as a child bride at only seven, to surviving domestic violence and working as a naai gong labourer.
I currently live in London where I am a Self Defence Instructor and writer.
Your Inspiration
My Paupau is my most beloved. I grew up listening to her life stories but sadly in the last ten years, her memory has become increasingly poor and I know eventually one day she won’t even remember who I am. But what struck me is she remembers all that she had to endure like it was yesterday and more amazingly is despite it all, Paupau never lost her capacity to show compassion, to love and to care for others.
Paupau personifies the Lion Rock Spirit of Hong Kong - the grit of a people who knows what it means to work hard, to endue and to suffer. And yet, we still strive forward against all odds without losing our humanity and compassion for others.
My grandmother not only taught me what it means to be strong and how to love, she gave me fourteen years of her life to raise me. This is my tribute to her and at the same time I wanted to share her story and Hong Kong values to others.
Favourite thing to do or see in Hong Kong
Every visit to Hong Kong is bittersweet for various reasons as it is a city that is in constant change so whenever I get the chance I love visiting parts of Hong Kong that hark back to my childhood era - busy wet markets, chaa chan tengs, eating stinky tofu and spicy fish balls, sitting on the tram listening to aunties nattering, and of course seeing my grandmother.
