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Women Who Chase Butterflies
Control life or life controls you.
Women Who Chase Butterflies is a heartfelt story that reminds us to accept the things beyond our control while changing those we can, and how these decisions will ultimately lead us to become who we are.
It tells the fascinating story of Louisa, an introverted, socially awkward young girl born and raised to a family of hardworking immigrants in Hong Kong’s fabled Walled City in the 1960s. She goes on a remarkable journey that brings her to the hallowed halls of Harvard and the buzz of Wall Street and later becomes a successful, self-made female entrepreneur who starts the headhunting industry in China.
At the height of her success, she starts to believe in her ability to control the new world she has created until a series of personal losses and professional setbacks causes her to suddenly question things she believed in and the life decisions that led her there.
Louisa’s fascinating tale unfolds along with a vivid portrait of Hong Kong, seen from the eyes of someone who calls it home. She discovers that self-awareness isn’t one truth. The beauty of life cannot always be found in the outcome but in the process of becoming.
Embarking on her journey of self-discovery through writing, she realizes that everyone has a story to tell and that every story is unique. There is no bad story -- only stories that are never heard. The more you know yourself, the more authentic and fulfilling your journey will be. Chasing is an act of becoming. There are no ugly butterflies.
Women Who Chase Butterflies is a heartfelt story that reminds us to accept the things beyond our control while changing those we can, and how these decisions will ultimately lead us to become who we are.
It tells the fascinating story of Louisa, an introverted, socially awkward young girl born and raised to a family of hardworking immigrants in Hong Kong’s fabled Walled City in the 1960s. She goes on a remarkable journey that brings her to the hallowed halls of Harvard and the buzz of Wall Street and later becomes a successful, self-made female entrepreneur who starts the headhunting industry in China.
At the height of her success, she starts to believe in her ability to control the new world she has created until a series of personal losses and professional setbacks causes her to suddenly question things she believed in and the life decisions that led her there.
Louisa’s fascinating tale unfolds along with a vivid portrait of Hong Kong, seen from the eyes of someone who calls it home. She discovers that self-awareness isn’t one truth. The beauty of life cannot always be found in the outcome but in the process of becoming.
Embarking on her journey of self-discovery through writing, she realizes that everyone has a story to tell and that every story is unique. There is no bad story -- only stories that are never heard. The more you know yourself, the more authentic and fulfilling your journey will be. Chasing is an act of becoming. There are no ugly butterflies.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2023
6 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2024
I almost confused it for a fiction read in a positive, empowering and inspiring way. 🦋
October 27, 2023
Did not find this fascinating or inspirational - I thought there would be a lot more about growing up in Hong Kong, making it globally and then resettling into the city, but it was mostly about the headhunting industry (with a heavy dose of self-aggrandizement, female style), the author's love affairs (the last two clearly poor choices) and high budget travel to exotic destinations (with trite reflections).
I'm sure she is a good boss and genuinely cares for people, but she is probably also a prescriptive and controlling person.
I think her motive in writing this book is to seek validation and admiration from a wider group of people beyond her family and ex-employees, rather than to inspire people.
I'm sure she is a good boss and genuinely cares for people, but she is probably also a prescriptive and controlling person.
I think her motive in writing this book is to seek validation and admiration from a wider group of people beyond her family and ex-employees, rather than to inspire people.
January 25, 2024
I don't usually enjoy autobiographies. I find it hard to truly get 'lost' in the story. However, the way Wong shares her story in a language that resembles spoken English, with a casual language that can truly carry the story as if you're talking to a friend. The parts I enjoyed best were the ones about her career.
October 29, 2023
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book; Louisa’s writing and journey can certainly motivate and touch one’s soul.
As a 26 y/o girl born and raised in Hong Kong who also studied abroad in the states, I had the opportunity to relive the resemblance we share as a Hong Konger (the revolution, HKers’ never-give up-spirit, COVID…) and also imagine the times I didn’t have a chance to experience before I was born through her writing. I especially felt the connection with Louisa with the love she has for her mom, and I surely aspired to be as strong as her one day in the business field.
Through this book, Louisa shared her life journey of love, family, and work. It’s not only about the success she’s achieved, but also the moments she was humbled because of a misjudgment. Of course, as a powerful, intelligent and adventurous woman, she never gave up during setbacks, but rather came up with solutions.
Even till this day, as the world, or HK, has evolved and changed so much, she, understanding that her tactics that worked in the past might not work anymore in the future, still manages to adapt agilely.
This book is very easy to read and you can almost feel like you’re in her head as she goes through her journeys.
As a 26 y/o girl born and raised in Hong Kong who also studied abroad in the states, I had the opportunity to relive the resemblance we share as a Hong Konger (the revolution, HKers’ never-give up-spirit, COVID…) and also imagine the times I didn’t have a chance to experience before I was born through her writing. I especially felt the connection with Louisa with the love she has for her mom, and I surely aspired to be as strong as her one day in the business field.
Through this book, Louisa shared her life journey of love, family, and work. It’s not only about the success she’s achieved, but also the moments she was humbled because of a misjudgment. Of course, as a powerful, intelligent and adventurous woman, she never gave up during setbacks, but rather came up with solutions.
Even till this day, as the world, or HK, has evolved and changed so much, she, understanding that her tactics that worked in the past might not work anymore in the future, still manages to adapt agilely.
This book is very easy to read and you can almost feel like you’re in her head as she goes through her journeys.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2023
Just okay, I was hoping to learn more about her upbringing and struggles rather than every step in the management recruiting business. You can tell where her passion is- but the book felt biased and a bit boring to get through. Disappointed.
March 10, 2025
Very inspiring and humble, against all odds succeeded again and again from early age to Toronto then Harvard and then successfully started and exited the business. Unlucky in love and admits making mistakes throughout life. Introverts and those socially less confident will be inspired.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews