日常運動

by Gigi L. Leung, 梁莉姿

傷口被聲嘶力竭的吶喊蓋過，挾回日常，假裝如此依然很好般繼續生活
並隨戛然冷寂的潮散消去焦點，漸次潰爛，我們變得憂傷且憤怒。

　　台北文學獎年金入圍、台積電文學賞得主
　　梁莉姿 小說集

　　《日常運動》十篇小說描繪出二〇一九年期間，香港集體的精神底蘊。以運動進行與反挫後的時空，書寫一整個世代的靈魂樣貌，希望、失望與絕望。

　　在追求民主自由的路上，投入者或旁觀者，必曾蒙受的傷害。

　　不獨是肉身對抗暴力留下的痕跡，亦非壓逼下的創痛，是同行者間，幽微曖昧的衝突與矛盾，漸積存成個體的憤怒、失望、罪疚、無力感，滲入個人日常。

　　由此，在激昂的口號下，仍須扣問，每個背景、身分、階級、性別迥異的個體，是如何於運動中被抹消與犧牲。

　　在國家武裝暴力後噤聲，恐怖瀰漫的氛圍。
　　是香港，也是臺灣。
　　是在傷痛、自我懷疑，行經絕望過後。
　　仍探尋路向。

　　李智良、楊翠 — 專文推薦
　　童偉格 — 專文導讀

好評推薦

　　任俠，香港電影《少年》導演
　　李屏瑤，作家
　　房慧真，作家
　　珂拉琪Collage 家權
　　胡淑雯，作家
　　張潔平，Matters平台及飛地書店創辦人
　　鄧觀傑，小說家
　　韓麗珠，香港小說家
　　（依姓氏筆畫排序）

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Asia, Contemporary, China, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[emma]

going to work while the world is ending

[switterbug (Betsey) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyday Movement is effective without being flashy. It takes place in an urgent time in Hong Kong’s history, during China’s proposed extradition bill of 2019, one that would undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy. Serious uprising and protests created division in the region, leading to injuries and even deaths. Leung approaches this period in history with a story of interconnected lives—family and friends who don’t always agree on how this matter should be settled. Don’t be surprised if you find parallels in the resistance movement in the everyday lives of Americans, also.

More than a window, it felt like I was eavesdropping on the lives of the characters. Even people protesting on the same side experienced painful conflict at times. Some folks imposed a strict lifestyle on themselves, refusing to spend money on pro-government corporations. Others needed an escape from the clashes and conflict and remained consumers of mainland China’s businesses. We also follow the drama of first love, mother/daughter relationships, and best friends trying to find normalcy in a world gone awry.

Leung presents her narrative without any authorial intrusion, without leading the reader to one way of thinking, allowing different points of view to exist in the same story without judgment. Both sides of the issue are fraught and often fractured, and the reader will get caught up in the emotional and personal lives of the characters. I learned much more about the protests than I observed only in images on American TV, but by the end of this story, I was caught up not only in the political fight, but in the “everyday movement” of HK civilians. My eyes stung when people were tear-gassed and my throat clenched when relationships split apart. Gigi L. Leung is a writer to follow.

Jennifer Feeley’s translation was smooth and natural, and seemed as if I was reading it in its original prose. A big thanks to Riverhead for sending me an advanced copy for review.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is set in Hong Kong during the pro-democracy protests, and centers on a handful of students and associated parents and teachers. The students are desperately trying to organize a resistance to Mainland China's authoritarian control, continually clashing with police, being pepper sprayed and shot, and fleeing. Resistance has become central to their lives but the novel zooms out to include those who are less invested or are resigned to the inevitable, and instead are concerned with shopping, housing, and self care. It ends with an election that the students frame as being decisive and existential - but not everyone is convinced that their votes will have any impact on Hong Kong's ability to self govern.
This is a book that, ten years ago, might have felt near future dystopian, or at least touristic but now as so many direct parallels to life in the US. Maybe we're not being pepper sprayed outside most of the time - but some people are, and some people are being disappeared and the executive branch seems just as hell-bent on imposing its unpopular agenda on people who are sometimes trying to organize resistance. Dark times indeed.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Becky]

書看起來頗有份量結果是分成十幾個短篇，很快就讀完，導讀推薦序和作者跋也值得一讀。每篇故事的角色互有連結又可獨立閱讀，即使只有最最外圍的運動參與經驗或沒經驗相信也能引起共鳴，抗爭者的精神震盪並不亞於政治環境的劇烈變化，想到這些角色的悲傷、憤怒、自我懷疑、漠然…該是需要多少時間的觀察和痛苦的討論或自問才能描寫得出來，而這一切都還沒有結局，就對作者的誠實和勇敢感到十分敬佩。

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sujet passionnant : comment Hong-Kong a basculé en 2019 sous l'impérialisme de la RPDC. Sans un bruit ou presque dans le reste du monde alors qu'il y a eu des morts, des blessés pour que les Hongkongais gardent leurs libertés... cela n'a pas suffit. Et maintenant, cette ville moderne et incroyable est sous le joug de la Chine, a fait changer les manuels scolaire et mettre en prison les journalistes.
Un cri d'alarme nécessaire, même si le livre comporte pas mal de longueurs, son propos est indispensable.

[Keri Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rated up! Everyday Movement showed up as an unexpected surprise in my mailbox, and I’m glad I got the opportunity to read it! Each chapter is from the perspective of a different character, all responding in different ways to the political turmoil in 2019 Hong Kong, as well as the turmoil in their personal lives. The chapters almost feel like a series of interconnected short stories.

What was going on in Hong Kong reminds me so much of what is going on in the United States today. The book almost felt like a manual for how to endure suffering while still resisting by giving many different examples of how people choose to react to political upheaval. I always appreciate books that show many different reactions to the same event, so getting to see how each character reacted and coped was one of my favorite parts of reading this.

However, Everyday Movement did have a couple of drawbacks that kept me from rating it higher. The book’s writing felt very removed, and mostly concerned with conveying information, so it was difficult for me to fully connect with and care about the characters themselves. The plot itself was also minimal, which is normal for literary fiction, but as a reader I either need a strong plot or strong characters in order to really love a book.

Here’s who I think will be most likely to love Everyday Movement:
- If you enjoy watching a situation unfold from all of the angles of the characters experiencing it, not just one
- If you’re drawn to short story collections (this isn’t one but it feels like one)
- If you're a non-fiction reader, too

Thanks to Penguin Random House/Riverhead Books for sending me a copy to review!

[新新 Xin-Xin · Rating 5 out of 5]

內容沉重但每段篇幅不長其實很好入口。
讀完後記，心裡閃過從 2019 到 2022 發生的事，時間過得好快又好慢，突然意識到正如後記所說：「與其說這是一本關於抗爭的小說，不若說更多是運動傷害，或是，傷害本身。」
然後我就突然想起來自己其實蠻痛的，哭了一下子。

[City Elf Reader (Ryan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember talking to my friend during the Hong Kong protests in 2019. She was studying at a university and expressed fear of going anywhere, even to her classes. we didn’t discuss if she had any involvement in the protests, she had to be careful as a foreign student studying in Hong Kong, but I remember her explaining it felt like everywhere was in flux.

At the time I didn’t really understand the story of the protests, but all power to the people always, of course. I’ve remained interested in the movement, but it seemed to be kneecapped a bit with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. When I saw the synopsis for this book, it was a must read for me. As the US continues to protest the kidnapping and murdering of people across the country, this book feels particularly timely.

Everyday Movement follows a group of people during the protests , those who are sympathetic to the cause, those who are participants in the cause, and some who would rather shop, continue life as is, and not disrupt their daily life. While reading this, I was reminded a bit of the movie from last year, I’m Still Here starring Fernanda Torres. In it, which a woman continues living after the kidnapping of her husband and experiencing a violent interrogation. We see scenes of daily life, mixed with the descent into fascism. Everyday Movement charts a similar course, we explore some of the characters backstories, and their motivations regarding the protests, mixed in with relationship troubles, friendships, and parental dynamics. Life doesn’t stop during times of chaos, we still feel mundane moments in between protesting and action. I found this book really interesting, and it inspired me to read more about the 2019 protests in Hong Kong. Life remains even with the world on fire.

Thanks Riverhead for the ARC!

[Monica | readingbythebay · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5. ty @riverheadbooks

Set in Hong Kong during the pro-democracy protests, the subject matter couldn’t be more timely. For anyone watching in horror at the political turmoil in the U.S., this will most definitely resonate.

I’m not sure if it is the original writing or the translation, but something about the craft at a sentence level was lacking for me. I did love how the author showed all sides objectively and let the reader draw their own conclusions. An informative and chilling text.

[Citron Pineapple · Rating 4 out of 5]

She chose a great angle to interpret and to describe a very complicated theme which is the anti-extradition bill protest in Hk. The mouvement is relatively recent
, so as many critics said, it’s not easy to make any conclusion and evaluation.

The author focused on the ordinary life during the protests and didn’t heroize any characters and try to analyze them in an objective way. It takes great effort and courage. The readers have the rights to be picky, but ordinary life isn’t perfect. really touching epilogue.

[Ishq · Rating 4 out of 5]

我認為本書尖銳之處，在於直面「兄弟爬山」不問路線與策略的倫理困境，及民粹式情緒動員的巨大反噬，沒有意圖為2019反修例運動再撰「史詩式」謳歌，而是以平視的角度，從人物所處的微觀脈絡，探詢經濟繁榮表象下的社會肌理，在長久累積的張力下遂成之裂變。暴力始於日常，允許極權與鎮壓的平庸與非政治人格，早就刻印在我們身上，在家庭，工作，學習與親密關係中不停預演。我們閱讀這些「衝突鑲嵌於生活裡，成為日常」的故事，也將重認各自平凡的臉，脆弱的身體與心靈。

(李智良〈分岔的風景〉，全文見：https://www.patreon.com/posts/fen-cha...)

[xkdlaej]

2024年7月19、20日 書展：界限書店被貿發局禁售區家麟、廖偉棠著作
Banned/Censored books in Hong Kong 香港禁書目錄/清單

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

***I was provided with a digital advance readers copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

4.5/5

TL;DR: Set in Hong Kong in the turmoil of protests and violent police backlash, Everyday Movement is an intimate, nuanced, painstakingly detailed window into the lives of several characters involved in pro-democracy activism.

Admittedly, I didn’t have enough political or historical context to understand everything about the Hong Kong protest movement without doing a bit more reading on current events in HK, but the depiction of grassroots activist movements, state injustice, and police violence against protestors felt chillingly universal and prescient, especially given the current context of the U.S. government.

Leung perfectly captures both the infectious, bold energy behind resistance movements but also the defeat, fear, and despair that comes with rising political chaos. She paints a compassionate portrait of each of her characters, posing equally legitimate and human ways that people cope with the world crumbling around them: Panda’s passion and vivacity and commitment to compartmentalizing her social life from her life as an activist; Ah Lei’s depression and ennui in the face of disaster; Ah Mak’s journey from passivity to passionate resistance. Each character is sympathetic and immediately gripping and vivid, with strong chemistry from their first scenes together. Shifts in POV with each chapter result in a beautifully kaleidoscopic effect that further fleshes out each character’s personal experience and their relationships with one another.

Leung’s novel is also an exercise in dialectics, playing with conflicting, opposite realities side by side, especially epitomized by Panda and Ah Lei. From the first chapter, we’re presented with Ah Lei and Panda and their wildly different ways of approaching the world around them. The symbolism is clear and strong while never heavy-handed: by the end of chapter one, we’re already given plenty to chew on. Do material pleasures and comforts provide a necessary escape in hard times, or are they just a distraction or a capitulation to capitalist greed? Leung leaves this up to the reader, but she seems to suggest that both of these interpretations might be true.

I can’t quite put a finger on why, but the pacing lagged for me slightly in parts two and three. There is a slight shift from slice of life (granted, a chaotic, violent, and traumatic life) type depictions of a cast of characters to something more action-packed, complete with some time skips between events. I also felt like it lost the threads of some minor characters in a way that felt vaguely incomplete. That said, endings are notoriously difficult to nail, especially open ended ones, and I think Leung hit the mark perfectly.

While I took the time to savor each chapter, I didn’t dread picking Everyday Movement back up as I sometimes do with books that feel too violent and real. As dictated by the subject matter, it’s heavy and visceral, but it’s also full of humanity and hope. Jennifer Feeley’s translated prose is beautiful and smooth in a way that lets the characters and their complexities shine. This novel is simultaneously personal and intimate and so much greater than itself, and it’s left me plenty to ruminate on long after I’ve finished it.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyday Movement by Gigi Leung, tr. Jennifer Feeley, is a kaleidoscopic novel following two young women and the people connected to them during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019. Instead of focusing on the protests themselves and the brutality inflicted by the police, Leung highlights the everyday moments in the characters’ lives as they struggle to balance activism with their normal routines.

Although the scope of the novel suggests Leung’s position, she carefully excludes herself from the narrative. Each character has their own internal struggles—although they are sympathetic to the protesters, we see internal conflicts over who is doing “enough” for the movement, which methods of resistance are most effective, and whether you can truly disrupt a system while still participating in it. All are struggles common to most political movements, but Leung’s quiet exploration of these ideas through interpersonal conflicts offered a deeper and more nuanced understanding.

I must admit when the narrative first shifted away from Ah Lei and Panda, I was a little unsure if I would be able to be invested in so many characters. However, Leung masterfully weaves each of the narratives together to create a dense network of stories spanning the few short months of summer 2019. The translation flows beautifully, with multiple moments where I had to pause after a particularly revelatory sentence.

My one small struggle with this novel was that sometimes the jumps in time within a chapter were a bit confusing for me. I sometimes struggled to determine whether we were getting a flashback or a flash-forward. This may be less of an issue for readers more familiar with the intricacies of this event, but I sometimes had to go back and re-read a few pages to get my bearings.

Overall, I found this to be a quiet yet powerful work. I strongly recommend this book to lovers of literary fiction who revel in the in-between moments. Leung and Feeley will transport you to the kitchen table, the dorm room, and the mall in Hong Kong during the summer of 2019.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.

[mostlybookstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

#EVERYDAYMOVEMENT by #gigilleung takes place during the summer of 2019 when pro-democracy protests begin escalating in Hong Kong. Students, teachers, family, and friends must contend with what it means to be an activist. At first glance, it would appear to be a novel of idealistic demonstrators, like Panda, Chan Yuek, or Little Professor, but it is also about those on the sidelines who are ambivalent or jaded, who nevertheless support the fight for democracy. This novel is about fighting for a sense of normalcy during abnormal times and it’s a tremendous addition to the Chinese-to-English translated titles spearheaded by my favorite publisher.

The novel begins with two student protestors taking an evening off at the mall. Prior to the summer months, police would halt their forces at the glass entrance of these shopping centers and civilians, tourists, and demonstrators alike can safely shelter. On this night, however, police breach the building and Ah Lei and Panda are caught in the violence and bloodshed. Their vastly different reactions in the aftermath set up the myriad ways in which each character defines their role in the turbulent months to come. There are poignant flashbacks, different perspectives of the same ordinary and not-so-ordinary moments, and much more.

I come away with a deeper appreciation for routines and the little things that make up my day-to-day. Although the boundary between “everyday life” and “extraordinary movements” may dissolve, this book is a kind reminder to take care of ourselves and our loved ones through it all. You might not be able to change bad times, but you can cultivate your own conduct in the meanwhile. I’m grateful to begin the new year with such a stirring and inspirational read. Thanks so much to @riverheadbooks for sending me this ARC. #EVERYDAYMOVEMENT comes out 2/10/2026.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. This novel follows a group of interconnected young people during the protests of the proposed extradition law in Hong Kong. The characters and their relationships are all impacted by the social and political changes taking place, and they are all forced to take stands or explain their apathy. Two female university students stand at the center of this social circle and go through cycles of energy and angst. They participate in marches and then pull back to support roles or the political process as things become more violent and murky. The men in the story are generally more apathetic and possibly more realistic. They don't understand why their girlfriends are so concerned, but perhaps they have less to lose or just cannot process the issues. The women are generally more energized and some use their energy as purity tests for everyone around them. Everyone has a different history with the mainland and that affects their beliefs. The story is very careful to show the points of view of all the characters as they try to navigate this extraordinary moment in history while also navigating social changes that have already scrambled relationships in Hong Kong during this period. I really enjoyed reading this snapshot in time in Hong Kong describing how everyone's lives were impacted by the protests.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a way this book resonates for our times of political turmoil. Set in 2019 Hong Kong during a time of pro-democracy protests, the book calls out the themes of civic duty versus personal contentment, and how to live a life during such contentious times.

The story unfolds primarily through two friends and college roommates, Panda (a nickname whose meaning is revealed in the story) and Ah Lei. Panda is tenacious and strident in fighting with the pro-democracy groups and protests while Ah Lei, a pro-democracy advocate too, is more on the sidelines caring for those wounded or affected by the riots. As these girls intermingle with friends, family and lovers, a host of thoughts, ideals, prejudices flow out to expand the debate of civic responsibility and personal contentment. Also the protests show they impact through the breaking of family ties and severing relationship. The book pulses with the ordinary, everyday things of life - which reflects the book’s time - and grounds the theme that it’s not easy to live within this turmoil. .

On the surface, this seems like a simple story but its parallel’s to today’s time is so eerie and incredibly prescient. One must read this with two hats on: one to the story and one as a witness to our times.

This is more a plot driven book but the characters are nicely drawn and the writing is well down. All in all a very fine read.

I want to thank NetGalley and Riverhead Books for allowing me to read this ARC
#EverydayMovement
#GigiLleung
#RiverheadBooks

[Elena L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hong Kong, 2019 - EVERYDAY MOVEMENT centers around the lives of two women amidst pro-democracy protests.

This book is a sea of political tension/rivalry and resistance movement. Through characters with different backgrounds, Leung exposes the two sides of the same coin - the way Hong Kong civilians' mundane routine is shaped by daily conflicts and toxic capitalism. There are chaos and existential questions that infuse in the feelings of patriotism, identity and belonging of ordinary people whose interconnected lives allow a deep glimpse of the Hong Kong community.

Like the protests and resistance, the narrative doesn't stop, rendering people's convictions despite being torn by (mental and physical) pain. From the daughter-mother relationship to the complexity of language, the character study is sharp and emotional, incorporating a touch of empathy in this part of Hong Kong’s history.

Blending tender slice-of-life and changing times, EVERYDAY MOVEMENT (tr. Jennifer Feeley) is a revolution novel that echoes Leung's and characters' boldness, delivered with smooth translation. An urgent story that needs to be told.

[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Riverhead books . All opinions are my own ]

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For these students, the previously unthinkable had become reality: A fellow student was shot, and now there was a blanket ban of political expression on campus. from Everyday Movement by Gigi L. Leung

Reading a novel in 2026 America about students involved in the 2019 protests in Hong Kong is eerie. In 1997, Britain handed the city back to China. China wanted to extradite Hong Kong citizens for trial on the mainland, allowing them to target activists and critics.

Masked students dressed in black took to the streets to demand Hong Kong’s autonomy, universal suffrage, and accountability for police brutality. The police fought the protestors with tear gas, beatings, arrests, and bullets.

The characters in Everyday Movement lead normal lives during the day, studying for exams, dealing with relationships with lovers and families.

Life under an authoritarian dictatorship no longer seems otherworldly. I would close the book and scan the news. ICE murdering American citizens. Terrorizing families.

This novel is set in another county and another time, but it is also relevant to what is happening now and here. It gives us more empathy for these characters, makes them less alien and distant.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

[Shikha | theliteraryescapade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always try to find good translated works and this is an amazing addition to my shelves. 

The book is set in Hong Kong during the time of pro-democracy protests. It is a good example of focussing on lives intimately with a solid backdrop of the world going down to hell. The author takes a recent movement as a theme, but a significant geopolitical event, and transcribes how it impacts the lives of the people witnessing it. 

It's the kind of book which if written decades ago would feel like a dystopian novel, but sadly it is the reality of today. Along with some harsh political themes, the book also has sub-terrains of familial bonds, love and loss, existential crisis, and finding normalcy in all the chaos that pursues. Leung intricately examines personal lives through the mirror of these interpersonal themes amidst high tension geopolitical drama. She delivers a haunting, beautiful exploration of patriotism, belonging, and the resilience required to witness a turning point in history.

Also, you will love it if you like to read stories that bring forth the beauty of sisterhood and female friendships. 

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah Li and Panda are college roommate who wake up with different experiences to the events of the night before when they are involved in a massive protest. Ah Li finds it hard to get out of bed, heavy with worry, while Panda is up and dressed and encourages Ah Li to join her.

From there, with protests in the background, there are moments where life continues on as typical. Routines offer solace. As the unrest builds, in just a few months, moments of solace are few and far between.

The parallels to current life in the US were not lost on me, though this story is deeply rooted in Hong Kong and its history. There is an openness to the author’s sharing, where all viewpoints are examined without judgment. Even in translation, I could feel the reactions of the characters and all their emotions as well. An urgent, powerhouse of a novel.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this follows several fictional characters against the backdrop of the 2019-2020 hong kong pro-democracy protests—a real and tumultuous political movement. the story raises difficult, timely questions:

what do you do when the person you love holds fundamentally different political views? if you share a movement's beliefs but do nothing to support it, is that wrong or simply self-preservation? in other words, is passivity excusable? does neutrality make you complicit?

though firmly rooted in hong kong, the characters' fear, guilt, and inner conflict feel universal, especially in this day and age.

thanks riverhead books and netgalley for the arc!

[James B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Riverhead for the ebook. As democracy starts to crumble in Hong Kong, we follow two college students, Panda and Ah Lei, starting in the morning after a demonstration which turned very violent. With the smell of tear gas still on them, Ah Lei feels overwhelmed by it all and can’t get out of bed, while Panda is vibrating with energy with all that needs to be done. This is an excellent novel that branches out from these two to further tell the story through their boyfriends, parents, teachers and distant relatives. It’s eye opening to see a group of young people fighting inch by inch and day by day for something that they believe in.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Riverhead Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book was really good - I loved learning more about Hong Kong. And also, seeing so many different reactions to protesting and the violence that can often be a part of them. It was so interesting to see people on the same side of the conflict protest in similar ways but also having conflict with each other (for instance, one person doesn't feel like her boyfriend is doing enough to protest and taking "the easy way.")
This taught me a lot about protesting and I saw myself in many places in this book.

[maddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Riverhead Books and Netgalley for ARC.

5/5

This was such an incredible read. It follows students in Hong Kong during the escalation of protests for pro-democracy. Both the narrative and the lens were incredibly focused and provided a unique perspective within this group. I thought every character had a purpose and was written so well. It’s not lost on me, the commonality between different political movements and admittedly, these were at the forefront of my mind during the book. In the beginning of the story, Panda and Ah Lei entrapped the reader in the story and I truly could not put it down.

[Wictoriane Verovicsam · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'ai commencé la lecture très enthousiaste ! le style de l'auteur est vraiment agréable, une sorte de murmure, comme une confidence, je me suis sentie happée par le récit de ces habitants de Hong Kong qui subissent une évolution dans leur société. Cette histoire m'a intéressée car je ne connaissais pas grand chose (rien) à la rétrocession de Hong Kong par le Royaume-Uni à la Chine.

Toutefois, le roman est complexe : c'est un roman choral où l'on suit les pensées de nombreux personnages et ce n'est pas aisé de continuer à se sentir impliqué auprès de tous.

De plus je me suis senti mal à l'aise car je réprouve toute forme de violences dans les manifestations et j'avais mal pour ceux qui se retrouvent gazés, blessés etc...Je suis trop sensible !

Enfin, je n'ai pas trop compris dans le roman l'enjeu des contestations. Certaines explications sur les lieux de naissances qui donnent droit à certains lieux d'instructions sont presque ubuesques (faire des kilomètres pour étudier) mais je pense qu'il y a des aberrations même en France !

Heureusement qu'il y a un résumé des phases de la révolte à la fin du roman mais il aurait fallu les mettre au début en prologue.

Ce roman aura eut comme effet bénéfique celui de m'intéresser à l'histoire de Hong Kong, je poursuivrai donc quelques recherches pour en savoir plus.

Ce sentiment, son moi d’avant, celui qui ne portait qu’un masque ordinaire et qui traînait sans but, l’a connu lui aussi. Un jour, une grenade lacrymogène s’est coincée dans un arbre tout proche de lui, explosant dans une pluie d’étincelles rouges. Il y a eu de la fumée partout. Ça lui a rappelé un feu d’artifice qu’il avait vu au Japon : à l’instant précis où les premières fusées avaient explosé, ses yeux l’avaient fait affreusement souffrir.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a well written and eye opening novel. I felt many parts were relevant to today’s world and the chaos amid social justice protests. The main characters were fascinating and I felt like I got to know them personally. With themes of everyday issues we all deal with like family drama, careers, and relationships, there was so much to relate to for me, all while it feels like the world is crumbling. This book is so well written and had me feeling less alone.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The student uprisings in Hong Kong protesting the government have been so powerful to watch. Here, two students return after the Chinese government unleashed tear gas and rubber bullets against these two young women but both react so differently. Like spokes of a wheel, their lives touch many others, as they move through the protests as well as daily interactions. It's not all protest, all the time, but much more intricate and interesting. While this is set in Hong Kong, the movements and fights are universal.

I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyday Movement follows two young women and those around them during a socially and politically critical point in Hong Kong. The interactions between various characters highlight the differing levels of engagement and how they process what they experience and observe. The emotional and social tolls are also highlighted. It didn't seem necessary to be super well-informed about Hong Kong in order to appreciate this book, though a reader with background knowledge might come away from reading this with different feelings.

[Edith A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read this year. A perfect read for the current political moment. A coming of power novel following two students who become ardent protestors against the governance situation in Hong Kong. Idealism v pragmatism. An exploration of the relationship between public space and power. A diatribe on what is courage v what is cowardice. Relentlessly introspective. Very thankful for the gift of translation in making this work available to me. Cannot recommend this enough.