Firelight of a Different Colour: The Life and Times of Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing

by Nigel Collett

When Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing threw himself to his death from the terrace of Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel in 2003, he was the greatest star of his generation in the city. A performer loved for his character as much as for his magic as an entertainer, his death sent shock waves across Asia and amongst Asian populations around the world. Despite the fact that he was openly gay, he was adored, and remains adored, by multitudes in societies where his sexual orientation remains a little-discussed taboo. Firelight of a Different Colour traces Leslie’s story from birth in 1950s Hong Kong to his death during the city’s crippling SARS epidemic. Through initial struggles to gain a foothold in TV and the nascent world of Cantopop, he achieved final success as a megastar of music and the big screen and held that position for nearly two decades. At the forefront of almost all the cultural changes Hong Kong saw during his lifetime, Leslie came to embody the unique spirit of the city. No Western performer can boast so widespread an influence across so many arts. Firelight of a Different Colour commemorates a life that continues to amaze and inspire.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2014

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud the author for his research on Leslie's academic struggles, particularly through the visit to Eccles Hall. Anyone who is marginally familiar with Leslie the star in the Chinese diaspora can tell you that the non-existent Leeds University experience, even though bearing no real consequence on his showbiz career, is an important piece of his image as the “blue-blood” idol. His many contradictory accounts of the academic experience has puzzled fans for a long time, and they - at least those who see Leslie as a real person instead of an idol - appreciate the author carving out a clear timeline. It is therefore disappointing that the author did not take a deeper look into Leslie's psychology with such a revealing piece of information as a springboard.

I echo another reviewer's comment that the book reads more like a chronicle of events, yet I understand the difficulties to flesh out a star so soon after his death when friends, relatives and acquaintances still feared the repercussions of revealing to the public the grey and dark sides of a beloved idol. The author is commended for his efforts in combing through and piecing together a myriad of news reports and interviews. Yet Leslie is a very secret person, contrary to the outspoken appearance. One misses a lot by just taking his word for it - the author did an excellent job of investigating his academic experience from independent sources, but unfortunately did not do the same due diligence in all other aspects of his life, and the most important of all, his relationship.

The steady and fulfilling relationship, so praised by the author, was a facade erected by Leslie, who more than anyone else craved a happy family life or the appearance of it, and people around him, for maintaining the reputation of a model homosexual couple. Getting the truth behind requires a lot of work such as making connections with people in the showbiz, but most of all, the willingness to see through the facade. Leslie's tragedy was very personal, despite the commonly cited reasons such as paparazzi attacks and decline of career.

In any case, this book is a good start and I thank the author for his nice work. There is, however, a long and winding maze to go through until we see the true person at the end.

[Jaclyn]

I was interested in this book's aim to turn the spotlight on a figure well known in Hong Kong but not much in the Western world. But the tragedy of Leslie Cheung's life is ill-represented by Collett's dry recounting of facts, dates and events. A boring history textbook rather than a compelling biography.

[Francine Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have gotten 5 stars if it came with photos. It's well written and makes me miss Gor gor more than ever...

[Quỳnh Movie (DSL) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For immortal Leslie~

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely lovely read. If you are into Hong Kong pop culture in general this is a great book to read. It puts things into a cultural and historical context so you feel as if you are getting more than just a portrait of Leslie because of who he is as a person but rather a portrait of Leslie because of what everything else surrounding him was. I love biographies that do this. The end is incredibly heartbreaking as is to be expected of his own tragic end.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very abrupt end - no discourse on Leslie’s legacy or even the aftermath of his death. Disappointing end to what was potentially a nice, concise look at a legend’s life.

[Yee · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an outsider reading about Leslie's life, I started to get tired of the countless times answering questions about his sexual orientation. It's exhausting being him. Maybe the word exhausting is even understatement. Why don't people leave him alone with whatever gender of his partner? I wonder if all these had contributed to the pressure and pushed him to commit the unthinkable. I wonder if life would be easier if he is still alive due to the slight improvement in LGBT acceptance. At the same time, I wonder whether he can cope with the pressure from social media.

Book Review: Firelight of a Different Colour: The Life and Times of Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing by Nigel Collett.