Adventures of My City

 

Xi Xi's My City was originally serialized in the Express Daily, from January 30 to June 30, 1975. Xi Xi wrote a thousand words a day and drew the pictures by herself. That was already 45 years ago. Since then, four editions have been published, and a simplified Chinese version was added ten years ago:

 

1. Su-yeh Publications edition (1979, about 60,000 words);

2. Asian Culture Company edition (1989, about 120,000 words);

3. The updated edition by Su-yeh Publication (1996, a slightly revised version of the Asian Culture Company edition);

4. Hung-fan Bookstore edition (1999, about 130,000 words);

5. Guangxi Normal University Press edition (2010, following the Hung-fan Hung-fan Bookstore edition).

 

The earliest edition published by Su-yeh Publication, only occupies one-third of the original serialization. There is no preface or appendices, only the main line, attached with some drawings. In that edition, everything is simple, but still, it is possible to read it independently. At that time, very few publishers in Hong Kong were willing to publish serious literary creations, and Su-yeh Publications was a publishing house founded by Xi Xi and friends. It aimed to develop literature creation in Hong Kong, including poetry, novels, and prose. The author received neither remuneration nor royalties. The revenue from the sale of books was used for publishing other works. Initially, only thin books can be published, and Su-yeh is a homophonic translation of "number of pages". The slender first edition of My City sold out immediately.

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In the past two decades, more publishers have published Hong Kong literature, and some of them have received funding from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. In 2014, after many acheivments, Su-yeh was retired, since their role was no longer as important as before. The original register of the publishing house was cancelled as well. Seventy-five books were published before and after its founding, include the authors of three generations. Su-Yeh was at one time a brand in Hong Kong literary circles.

 

The edition of My City published by Hung-fan Bookstore of Taiwan in 1999 is the most complete. Xi Xi has added the serialization in revised newspapers to this edition, in order to make up for the cut branches and leaves. Also, the appendix contains a few thoughts of my own.

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