Catherine Chang
Katy recalled her mother’s stories and her desire for Katy to write about her childhood experiences of losing her family and surviving in war-torn China, aided by luck and the invaluable power of friendship.
After working as a lawyer in the satellite industry for over twenty years, Katy is finally fulfilling her mother’s wish.
Katy divides her time between Hong Kong and Sydney, where she enjoys reading, painting, swimming, and dancing.
Catherine Chang's Books
£9.99
A Fine Piece of Jade
28 Apr 2025A Fine Piece of Jade is a fictionalised account of the author’s mother’s experiences during the Japanese occupation of China and the rise of Communist China.
The story follows Wāng Qí and Yuányuán, two girls sent from their privileged homes to a missionary school in Wuhan’s French Concession during World War II. Through war, revolution, and political oppression, the fiercely independent Wāng Qí and the ever-cheerful Yuányuán form a bond that gives them strength, though greater dangers may lie closer than they expect.
The novel explores the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, contrasting those who conform with those who fight for change. It celebrates resilience, friendship, and faith in times of loss and betrayal, while weaving Chinese mythology into a vivid portrayal of Hankou under occupation.