The World of Suzie Wong

Penguin Books reintroduces the timeless story of the love affair between a British artist and a Chinese prostitute.

Robert is t he only resident of the Nam Kok hotel not renting his room by the hour when he meets Suzie at the bar. She becomes his muse and they fall in love. But even in Hong Kong, where many white expatriates have Chinese mistresses, their romance could jeopardize the things they each hold dear. Set in the mid-1950s, The World of Suzie Wong is a beautifully written time capsule of a novel. First published more than fifty years ago, it resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring a film starring William H olden, a ballet, and even a reggae song. Now readers can experience the romance of this groundbreaking story anew.

“Reminiscent of Somerset Maugham at his storytelling best… Suzie Wong is enchanting.” – New York Herald Tribune

“Refreshingly different… excitingly real and vivid.” – Boston Globe

“A thrilling, imaginative experience.” – Washington Post & Times Herald

“One of the tenderest, most beautiful, agonizing and interesting love stories of the year…. Magnificently effective.” – San Francisco Examiner

“The reader falls in love with Suzie as Mason weaves his magic spell.” – Detroit News

“One of the most tender and enchanting heroines to find her way into print in a long time.” – Saturday ReviewRichard Mason (1919-1997) was a British author who learned Japanese during WWII and lived in Hong Kong after the war, where his experiences led him to write The World of Suzie Wong.