House of Kwa

by Mimi Kwa

The dragon circles and swoops ... a tiger running alone in the night ...

Mimi Kwa ignored the letter for days. When she finally opened it, the news was so shocking her hair turned grey. Why would a father sue his own daughter?

The collision was over the estate of Mimi's beloved Aunt Theresa, but its seed had been sown long ago. In an attempt to understand how it had come to this, Mimi unspools her rich family history in House of Kwa.

One of a wealthy silk merchant's 32 children, Mimi's father, Francis, was just a little boy when the Kwa family became caught up in the brutal and devastating Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. Years later, he was sent to study in Australia by his now independent and successful older sister Theresa. There he met and married Mimi's mother, a nineteen-year-old with an undiagnosed, chronic mental illness. Soon after, 'tiger' Mimi arrived, and her struggle with the past - and the dragon - began ...

Riveting, colourful and often darkly humorous, House of Kwa is an epic family drama spanning four generations, and an unforgettable story about how one woman finds the courage to stand up for her freedom and independence, squaring off against the ghosts of the past and finally putting them to rest. Throughout, her inspiration is Francis's late older sister, the jet-setting, free-spirited Aunt Theresa, whose extraordinary life is a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Book Club, Ebooks, Autobiography, Family Drama

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Hi! I'm an Aussie Harper Collins author. My memoir HOUSE OF KWA hits US, Canada and UK shelves in 2024.

I'm a mum of 4, mediation teacher, tv host and news anchor.

Please visit www.mimitv.com.au for more

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mimi,
What an extraordinary life you have led up to now. About halfway through I GASPED out loud and wanted to give you a hug. You'll know which bit I mean. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Megan xx

Mimi Kwa and I are members of the same bookclub and yet we’ve never met in person. I’m now an interstate member of the 22 year old book club and met Mimi during the long Melbourne lockdown when I joined back in discussions via Zoom.

From behind the screen Mimi was polished like the TV presenter she is. Her Gram is full of pastel gratitude and positivity. She has thousands of followers. I knew she was writing a book and I was keen to read it and very nervous at the same time. I had no idea what she was writing. What if it was terrible? Would I say nothing? It’s happened before and I still haven’t said anything. Just silence.

I don’t need silence with this one. Behind the Instagram persona is a knock it out of the park memoir that melds Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon with Running with Scissors.

In the search to understand why her father, a 23rd generation member of the House of Kwa would sue her Mimi takes us back four generations to pre revolutionary China, to wartime Hong Kong and to Perth through the 1970s to now.

I was fascinated, horrified and absorbed. Half way through I gasped out loud and wanted to immediately hug Mimi. Forgiveness is separating the behaviour from the person and having compassion for the person while holding the behaviour in contempt.

Read this book to see history from a new perspective, to understand forgiveness and to remind yourself that behind every polished smile there is a story to tell. Some of them explosive. And the positive vibe of her Insta profile now makes complete sense. I’m amazed Mimi is still standing. And glad that she is.

[Andrea | andrea.c.lowry.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t believe in rating biographies and memoirs since this is someone telling their story while being vulnerable and the history of other’s lives (everyone deserves 5 stars for that), and therefore, I have no right to critique or have an opinion. Instead, I prefer to share how I felt while reading.

The very first chapter Kwa had me fully absorbed in her world as it was turned on its head the moment she received a notification that her father was suing her over an inheritance from her aunt. From there, I was transported back through four generations of the Kwa family and their journeys and hardships.

This was definitely an emotional story that held onto my heart, and it really held a lot tighter because I knew it was really happening to someone. But, even through everything difficult and tragic Mimi had so much strength and hope.

Thank you, HarperCollins 360 for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Inex Palit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi wrote a beautiful book, and I wish I can read about most of the Kwa’s siblings stories too 😍 I love that the setting of the book is in Perth, which makes all the places very familiar.

It’s always great to have a memoir with history written in it 🧡

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good memoir and when I saw Mimi KWA had written one I was all in. I was blown away with this unforgettable masterpiece. What an astounding debut Mimi.

Mimi’s world turned upside down over night when her father sued her over the distribution of her aunts estate. The memoir covers the four generations of the KWA family, the old KWA the new KWA and the current KWA world.

Francis, her father is one of the 32 KWA children born into Silk trade in China and descendants of the dragon. Francis’s family moved to Hong Kong when japan invaded China eventually landing in Perth where he built an empire only to watch it implode.

Her mother and father had a turbulent relationship and like all of the KWA decedents family life was never easy. Francis left her mother and remarried and found a love for the legal system. Given free rain over her life Mimi was left to her own free will. My heart broke for Mimi in so many parts of this book.

The silver lining comes in the now, Mimi meets her husband, her career takes off and she continues to flourish with aunts by her side travelling the world. Against all odds Mini comes out the other side with her family by her side. What an extraordinary story, I’m in awe of the strength and resilience Mimi portrays throughout this book and in her life. This is a must read for memoir lovers.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting insight into a world I knew little about, until my daughter thoughtfully bought me this for Christmas. Chinese history is a mystery to me and this memoir starts reasonably recently, only a couple of generations but far enough back that we understand where her father’s and auntie’s pride in the family name originate. Her father’s life during Japanese occupied Hong Kong and ambitious moves in Australia are interesting and then the author’s upbringing tell a difficult tale. For someone who doesn’t usually enjoy non-fiction but a good historical fiction, this was very readable and I am astonished at and inspired by Mimi Kwa’s optimism and resilience.

[Sofia Holm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and really well written. I highly recommend this to everyone to read!

[Ainslie Gatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwa's family drama is played out over generations with vivid story-telling that takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster ride of family, history, love and grief. I am looking forward to Mimi's next novel.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story revolved a lot around Frances and he was not a likeable character.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi Kwa recounts an extraordinary life in her autobiographical book, House of Kwa. Childhood trauma, compounded by one damaged and one narcissistic parent, is alleviated by regular visits to a beloved aunt and the nurturing safety net of her maternal grandparents. Growing up in the ‘80’s in Perth, her father, a direct descendant of a Chinese Emperor and her mother a chronic schizophrenic, Mimi faces situations that would make a current day helicopter parent quake.
Her seemingly insouciant account of quite astonishing and disturbing events was quite startling and occasionally darkly humorous. How resilient and forgiving children can be of the frailties of their parents? Yet not everyone would have as much grace and forgiveness in their hearts as Mimi Kwa.
The immediacy of this book,for me, arose from it being set partly in my suburb and also because I can vividly recall the period described.
I enjoyed the writing style which personifies emotions and Chinese astrology to heighten the interactions and behaviours of the characters.
We could all learn something about a life well lived from Aunt Theresa and Mimi Kwa.
And look at that cover!

[Tundra · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my library audio for this became available I had forgotten what it was about and where it was recommended from. It took a surprising twist half way through as I was thinking I was just reading a historical saga (A bonus of not reading blurbs). This was funny, compassionate and quite fascinating. A lot of memories about growing up in Perth. This family is certainly robust and has perseverance. I can’t count how many times they had to reinvent themselves.

[Maaike Baudry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost gave up half way in. Didn’t enjoy the writing style where she makes strange jumps. Sometimes details are abundant that seem irrelevant as they lead to nowhere. Other times important parts seem to be left out all together and the story suddenly jumps forward many years without it being apparent at first. Then I couldn’t put the book down once I got to part 3… So a bit of a roller coaster, hard to rate.

[Suzesmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

148📕🇭🇰HONG KONG / AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 I couldn’t go past this gorgeous cover, and I love the Australian author connection. What @mimikwatv shares with us in her autobiography is both fascinating and traumatic. My heart ached for the young girl with the mentally ill mother and eccentric father. Thank goodness for grand parents and aunties. Told in three sections, the unsual choice of past-continuous tense makes the reader feel unsteady, however, this settles as the story develops. 🐲🐯

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it hard to be judgmental about a memoir because it is one person’s experience and who am I to say it is good or not. Mimi’s father in this book is bombastic, egocentric, selfish and neglectful. That Mimi has come out still standing, let alone flourishing with a family of her own speaks volumes about her but very little about her father.

[Matty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mimi Kwa has an incredibly fascinating family history which she writes about in such a beautiful and evocative way. Reading rich stories about the Kwa family in 1800’s China gives such insight into the way the younger Kwa generations lived in Australia in more recent years. A stunning journey which perhaps in places felt laggy, but all comes together at the end.

[Rhoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review!

This is a memoir by Australian journalist Mimi Kwa and tells the extraordinary story of her family. Her father was one of 32 children of a wealthy silk merchant in China who fled to Hong Kong during WWII. Years later he was sent to study in Perth by his wealthy sister Theresa.

There he met the author’s mother who had an undiagnosed and quite severe mental illness which resulted in a rather tumultuous and unstable childhood. As the author’s father was also very eccentric and difficult, her anchors in life were her beloved maternal grandparents and Aunty Theresa who she visited at least once every year of her life in Hong Kong.

This was a pretty incredible book to read and to be honest, I’m amazed by the author’s life, what she has been through and her ability to forgive. I’m not sure I would have such forgiveness in me!

This is definitely a fascinating book for anyone who likes multi-cultural stories and memoirs. There is never a boring moment in this book and I sincerely hope that the rest of the author’s life is a little less dramatic and harrowing than it has been thus far. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply engaging memoir outlining the extraordinary childhood of Mimi Kwa, and the Century of family saga that led up to it. Starting in pre-Opium War China, Kwa traces a dynasty to Perth. By early adolescence, Kwa shuttled between the high life of Hong Kong's elite and long days of work at her father's Perth backpackers spiced with alcohol-fuelled parties and managing her mother's delusion-induced self-harm. Kwa steadily highlights the family grandeur that underpins her father's ambitions and the history of sharp changes in fortune which help him survive his own bust years. The world of polygamous dynasties, opium and silk in the early book give way to migration, textile start-ups and the brutal occupation, hunger and deception, collaboration and survival. And yet, through it all Kwa draws the thread of what it is to be "Kwa", to be part of this intense, loving, crazy ambitious and sometimes just crazy, family.
The book is in part a love letter to Mimi's extraordinary Aunt Theresa, and the scenes in China and especially Hong Kong are by far the most engaging. The occupation of Hong Kong is vividly and heartbreakingly evoked - and a reminder of how fast things can change in the most stable of societies.

[Gene-Siew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Spanning four generations and stretching from Qing dynasty China to modern-day Australia this memoir was a great read. The author's candid description of her childhood and the important adults in her life was funny, touching and memorable. Francis Kwa and his exploits will stick with me for a long time! A great exploration of both how our families can shape us and how we can move beyond that.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

[Karen Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down (or turn my kindle off). It is an epic, multigenerational, cinematic memoir that transports us from Japanese-occupied Hong Kong to suburban Australia - an astonishing masterpiece. I love books where we learn about history and culture through fascinating characters, and House of Kwa certainly delivers. The author’s eccentric father may have put a war behind him, but his daughter bears his scars. We cry and laugh and cheer for Mimi and her doting, nurturing and wise Aunt Theresa. It is truly remarkable how the author, a well known journalist and TV presenter managed to overcome such a challenging childhood and coming-of-age. The author is the hero here, for helping her mother access care that should have been offered decades earlier, and for showing us all how to deal with parents we don’t get to choose and what life throws our way, with such love, patience and grace.

[Alethea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit of an impulse buy and a leap of faith, as I wouldn't normally go for a memoir of an Australian News Anchor I had never heard of. Don't read the back of the book, just read the book :)

[Danielle Mueth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This multi generational story gave insight into the intricacies of how people develop both from the nature and nurture perspectives. With older generations living through wartime and the expectation of the providing for the family, the story shows how those experiences drove the author's father through life and influenced many of his decisions and behaviors. The drive of the father to be 'successful' put significant pressures on the family closest to him and forced many individuals to cater to his desires with no consideration for their own needs. In her life growing up under her father's supervision, Mimi has experienced things no one would ever wish on a child, much like her father endured wartime actions that no child should ever have to witness.
This novel delves into familial relations and the outcomes of the multi generational relationships that bound the author to the Kwa family regardless of how those family members treated her on a day to day basis.
Through interesting anecdotes and family history, the author shows that children can learn to persevere regardless of the immense familial pressures inflicted on them, whether cultural requirements, or simply from overbearing and inconsiderate actions of the adults around them. It is a story of growth, but also of learning how to separate loyalty from personal interests.
I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in gaining a glimpse into the multi generational familial experience with the influence of Eastern Asian cultural practices. Between the difficult family relations and the cultural expectations, Mimi Kwa has lived an extraordinary life full of heartache and chaos, but has managed to persevere through it all and has provided an incredibly interesting and insightful memoir that gives us all a glimpse into what life would be like as a Kwa.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I just had to read this book when I saw it being compared to Wild Swans, my favourite book.

And following in the footsteps of Yung Chang, Mimi Kwa tells the story of her own family, spanning four generations, in her own insightful way. She manages to insert some dark humour into the pages.

This is a warts and all story of the ups and downs of her family history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and Mimi has a wonderful way of writing which brings the book vividly to life. Some of it makes rather difficult reading, but is necessary to tell her story, including servants, the family living through the Second World, suicide attempts, mental health issues. It was very difficult to read how some of the men treat their wives and children. Multiple wives at one time was acceptable and Mimi’s grandfather had 32 children to his 3 wives, heartlessly leaving ‘wife number one’ behind with some children when he fled the horrors of the Second World War with his other wives and children.

I enjoyed getting to know Mimi’s Aunt Theresa. What a wonderful lady she was to raise herself up from nothing to become a very successful and much loved and admired lady. She lived and worked for the benefit of her family.

Mimi’s dad is another family member I enjoyed getting to know. He is both scary and hilarious. His attempt at setting up and running a ‘back packer travel resort’ hotel in Perth reminds me of Fawlty Towers! He has no filter. He thinks he can do anything and frequently tries. Chiropractor? Yes I can do that! He must have been a very interesting character for the hotel visitors.

Mimi has had an incredible life so far. Sadly she has experienced things no child should ever have to experience and received no support at the time. What a strong woman to have come through what she has and be able to tell her story.

A captivating story I could not put down.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir is such a great genre. When it's done well, you get the opportunity to walk for a while in someone else's shoes, often in another time or another place, knowing that all the events actually happened. The 'plot' is based on real lived experience, and you gain an empathy for the characters involved. Then you get to kick those shoes off and return to your own life.

But when you know the author...the experience stays with you. Mimi Kwa and I are in the same bookclub, so I've been excitedly anticipating this memoir's release. During our book club discussions she's mentioned some of her past experiences, but it was only in the reading of this book that I joined the dots to reveal the astounding overall picture. I'm in awe of her resilience, and celebrate her strength in telling this story. I know it will be inspiring to many readers.

The starting point is when her father takes the adult Mimi to court, and in an attempt to unravel why it would come to this, she delves into the family history for the past four generations...all the way back to pre-revolutionary China, Hong Kong during the Japanese WWII invasion, and ultimately onto Perth from the 1970s to now.

It's quite the ride. And through it all, Mimi is inspired by her glamorous and extraordinary Aunty Theresa. Like many other memoirs I've read, this book is a dissertation on the importance of that one special mentor in every child's life. It just takes one to make all the difference.

I could not put this book down. Highly recommended.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the author read this memoir and I think that added to the experience because Mimi Kwa is distinctly Australian yet her story is completely foreign to most Australians! The Kwa family saga really starts in war torn HongKong filled with atrocities and deprivation. Mimi’s father, Francis cannot help but be scarred by this experience and his determination to survive at all costs, never allowing himself true compassion, is central to the novel. Mimi’s mother is much younger than Francis and she suffers from undiagnosed schizophrenia. Mimi is dragged up between them and builds resilience with a motley group of friends and total love from her maternal grandparents and the wonderful Aunty Theresa who, from HongKong, ensures her nieces and nephews are always taken care of. How Tiger Mimi survives her battles with Dragon Francis never ceases to amaze the reader. Mimi is superb; her underlying strength of character and seemingly innate (or taught by Theresa?) belief in herself create the person she is today. What a person! What a Kwa! There is humour and horror in this story and throughout, a sense of triumph.

[Eugenia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, I think the bravery of Mimi Kwa to share her powerful and harrowing family story is amazing.
Unfortunately this book was not my cup of tea. I feel mislead that this book has been described as ‘uplifting’. I felt totally dejected and infuriated by the unrelenting and selfish nature of Fransis Kwa thought out the book. The accounts of stories were told very matter of fact and maybe this was why I could not get into this without experiencing true emotion from the narration. Particularly the first section outlining the Kwa family was extremely hard to engage with, as not many of the characters had likeable personalities (aside from Theresa - she was the true gem who kept me going).
I think if there had been more reflection on Francis Kwa ‘being the star of his own show’ would have helped me from feeling enraged I’ve had to read so much about this man’s life. I am glad to have read about Theresa and the light she gave Mimi in a very tough upbringing to be a survivor and live on to thrive.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

My husband gifted me this book so I felt obliged to read it. Initially the past era characters interested me but I could not connect or care due to the matter of fact rushed way the story was written. Too soon and less than a quarter into the book, it became apparent that the authors intention was to write about herself and her life experiences. I struggled on from this point until the last page. Many pages are detailed descriptions sharing the airing of family dirty linen. The constant Dragon and Tiger metaphors really fell short of the mark to me because there was no depth to their meaning, or rather the author had failed to engage me. Self therapy, personal journey memoirs from there to here are not for me and so I rate this book on how I found it - story, style, content and what it brought to my life.

[Angela Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insight into the Author's family from her Great Grand parents. She certainly gained my admiration for the way she handled the treatment from her father whom I could have gladly throttled many times over. To overcome so many heart breaking occasions during her young life & being pushed from pillar to post between parents I was truly inspired by her optimism & the calm way she handled the most frustrating of situations usually brought on by her very volatile father. I was very happy knowing you have a loving family around you now thank you for telling your story so beautifully.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been much better with a different verb tense and writing style. It is the true story of still living people so I don’t want to criticize the story itself too much - it’s definitely fascinating in parts but could just have been better written. I found the history of China and Hong Kong before, during and after WW2 really interesting. Others in my book club found those sections really slow.

[Kimberley (yepanotherbookstagram)]

Mimi Kwa has been a tv host and presenter for two decades. This is her story, spanning four generations from China to Australia, culminating in her father suing her.

This was a fascinating insight into Mimi’s family history. I learnt so much about China and Hong Kong, and about Chinese culture too. Mimi’s raw honesty makes for a compelling read.

Thanks to @harpercollinsaustralia for the review copy.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected

Three generations of trauma and mental illness, this book kept me reading way past my bedtime. No bad guys here, just people doing the best they can with what they have.