Master of None: How a Hong Kong high-flyer overcame the devastating experience of imprisonment

Description

Does a man need a stint in jail to complete his life experiences?

From Stanley Prison, corporate high-flyer John T. Hung recounts his life in a sweep of Hong Kong history over five generations – from his family roots in the 19th century through World War II to the present. The story tracks the richness of his mixed heritage and upbringing, his steady rise and precipitous fall from the pinnacles of corporate Hong Kong to the life-destroying court case and heartbreaking incarceration.

With wry and subtle humour, Hung describes his colourful yet volatile life, interwoven into the social, commercial, political and sporting tapestry of Hong Kong and South East Asia. Master of None is a soulful exploration of human achievements, frailties, resilience in the face of adversity, and above all, the importance of family support in overcoming whatever fate may deal us.

MEDIA ATTENTION

Hong Kong’s Ming Pao newspaper featured an in-depth interview with John Hung on Dec 11. Read it here in its original Chinese, or here in English translation.

John Hung chats all about his rise and fall to Phil Whelan on Radio 3’s Morning Brew.

John Batten reflects on Hung’s views on local heritage and Cantonese in Perspective magazine.

“When John Hung, one of Hong Kong’s most recognised taipans, was jailed for bribery 2-1/2 years ago, many saw it as an ignominious end. But today the man himself has high hopes the fall heralds a new start. It was during his incarceration that he started writing a book about his life, which he spoke about yesterday at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Central.” – South China Morning Post

“How I write”: John Hung in Time Out

Listen to a podcast or view a video of John Hung’s talk at the FCC at The View From Here.

現年72歲出身望族的前九倉大班洪承禧（John Hung），曾與末代港督彭定康在包廂看欖球賽、與查理斯皇子並肩合照，2009年因馬會會籍貪污案鋃鐺入獄，他把16個月赤柱監獄的鐵窗歲月形容為「赤 柱水療度假村」的日子；本身為太平紳士的他由過往「巡監」變成「踎監」，在獄內負責政府官員卡片和官方文件的英文校對工作。– Ming Pao