Picking Incense Records and Burning Incense Records

Hong Kong Literary Biennial Awards

Taiwan Literature Golden Classic Award winner



Chronicles of the Fragrance of Life 1974-1996



"The Story of Fragrance" depicts the second half of Hong Kong history through the experiences of the Lien family: parents Lien Cheng and Song Yun, and their ten siblings. The protagonist, Shixiang, meticulously reflects on the diverse experiences of each member of the Lien family, linking them to significant events in Hong Kong history: the 1967 riots, Typhoon Wendai, the Miss Hong Kong pageant, and more. Individual and collective memories are inextricably linked. The Lien family's rise and fall mirror the ups and downs of Hong Kong, with each sibling symbolizing a distinct part of the city.



Incense Burning



"Don't ask me where I come from. Is it not just my homeland that I have lost?

I escaped just to report to you..."



Set in 2017, with the darkest violence yet to unfold on a larger scale, "Burning Incense" follows "Picking Incense" and centers on Lian Cheng, the father of the Lian family, Lin Jia, the object of Shixiang's affection, and the third generation of the "Picking Incense" story. The story continues with the accumulating conflicts between Hong Kong and Hong Kong following the handover in 1997. Continuing with its characteristic use of individuals as microcosms of their time, the novel, through the characters' life experiences, vividly depicts the feeling of being a stranger in the city they love so much.



Good reviews and recommendations



Chia-Hsien Yang Special Recommendation



Hong Kong and Taiwan writers unanimously recommend

Gan Yaoming, novelist

He Zhihe, novelist

Mu Yu, writer

Zhang Yiqi, novelist

Cao Shuying, writer

Liang Lizi, Writer

Chen Baiqing, Writer

Chen Huihui, Senior Publisher

Jiang Yani, writer

Deng Xiaohua, writer

Qian Zhen, novelist

Zhong Wenyin, novelist

2023-12-20

木馬文化

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