Haven Books is an English-language press that aims to put a wide range of interesting books into readers' hands. Our titles focus primarily on Hong Kong and Asian themes.

Habit of a Foreign Sky

Xu Xi

FINALIST for the Inaugural Man Asian Literary Prize

“Smart, eloquent, cosmopolitan … a scintillating accomplishment.”
— Don Lee, award-winning author of Yellow and Wrack and Ruin
 
“An indispensable work of contemporary fiction by an important novelist at the height of her powers. A compelling, seductive reading experience.”
— Nicholas Jose, Australian author and Man Asian Literary Prize judge
 
“This accomplished, playful and graceful novel shows how swiftly life can change, or seem to, depending on where you stand.”
— Jill Dawson, bestselling author of The Great Lover
 
“Startling insights into delicate yet hardened personae, flying alone and together.”
— Alex Kuo, American Book Award winner for Lipstick and Other Stories
 
“A riveting character whose contradictions and longing to be her own woman make her fascinating to watch as she struggles for integrity … she’s recognizable, daunting and beautifully drawn.”
— Rosellen Brown, bestselling author of Before and After

 
What happens when an intelligent, high-powered woman executive relinquishes all responsibilities?

Somewhere between Hong Kong and New York, life does an abrupt shift for Gail Szeto when her mother, her last family member, is killed in an accident. For Gail, a mixed-race, single mother who buried her young son only two years prior, all she has left is a hard-won career at a global investment bank. Life rapidly goes into free fall for this woman with a complicated past, who was once so sure of her direction in life, who can now see no clear future path.
 
With an international cast in New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai, this novel dramatizes a Sino-American balance of power at a staggeringly intimate level.

From Chapter 2 of HABIT OF A FOREIGN SKY

Xu Xi explains the multicultural appeal of the novel
Xu Xi reads from the novel

Launching at the Asia Society in Hong Kong on 7th October, 2010 and in New York City, USA on 8 November, 2010.
Reading & book discussion at the Asia Society in Washington, D.C. on 1 February, 2011. Click HERE for details.
2011 AWP Annual Conference: "What Women DON'T Write About When We Write About Sex," 3 February, 2011. Click HERE for details.
Taboan 2011 International Writers Festival Presents: "Beyond Borders: Globalizing Local Writing," 11 February, 2011. Click HERE for details.
Taboan 2011 International Writers Festival Presents: "In for the Long Haul: Going for the Novel," 12 February, 2011. Click HERE for details.
University of Hong Kong Library Reading Club Presents: Reading & conversation with Xu Xi, moderated by journalist Richard Lord, 24 February, 2011. Click HERE for details.
The China Bookworm International Literary Festival Presents: Xu Xi, 4-9 March, 2011. Click HERE for details.
The Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival Presents: "Habit of a Foreign Sky," 15 March, 2011. Click HERE for details.
Hong Kong Institute of Education Women's Research Center & Gender Matters Seminar Presents: "Habit of a Foreign Sky," 25 March, 2011. Event details TBA.

Ming Pao interviews Xu Xi about the protagonist's character (Chinese)
"A sophisticated take on the difficulties of making choices." —Richard Lord, South China Morning Post
Featured cover, Publisher's Weekly
"A Hong Kong-raised author writes in English, but tries to infuse her works with Chinese phrases" —Kelly Chung Dawson, China Daily/US Edition
"One word sums up Xu Xi's new novel Habit of a Foreign Sky: sexy." —Abigail Licad, Hyphen Magazine
"Hong Kong-born Xu Xi is a women's writer but not for the faint-hearted female reader." —Akshita Nanda, The Straits Times
The South China Morning Post features Xu Xi as a highlight of the 2011 International Literary Festival
"No one but Xu Xi could have produced such a brave, balanced and tensile work." —Michael Tsang, Cha: An Asian Literary Journal
"A subtle book, bereft of brash characters and striking description, but full of the nuances that characterize real life, love and loss." —Susie Gordon, City Weekend
Author talk: Xu Xi & Sybil Baker's interesting chat about writing, books, life, the works.


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  • HK$120
  • ISBN 978-988-18967-2-8
  • Softcover
  • 14cm x 20.3cm
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