The Mirror of Kong Ho

In this witty epistolary work, a Chinese scholar named Kong Ho sends a series of letters back to his homeland, detailing his first impressions of bustling London. His observations turn everyday marvels—like the clatter of motor cars, the strange allure of the piano, and the etiquette of tea houses—into playful commentary on Western customs. With a blend of earnest curiosity and gentle satire, Kong Ho treats the city's residents as “barbarians,” inviting readers to see familiar sights through an unfamiliar lens.

The letters unfold as a lively travelogue, each entry capturing the clash of cultures, the absurdities of modern conveniences, and the occasional bewildering encounter with bureaucratic pomp. Kong Ho’s voice is both respectful and teasing, offering insights that feel timeless while highlighting the novelty of the early twentieth‑century metropolis. Listeners will enjoy the charm of his earnest attempts to translate foreign oddities into the language of his own refined world.