Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival 2010 - The Three J's


Junot Diaz, author of the novel ‘The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao’ and the short story about the fat Dominican ass (actually called "Alma").

Both classes K12 and K13, together with our English teachers, Mrs Steen and Mrs Butchart, and Ida, our librarian, went to the Wei Hing Theater in Tsim Tsa Shui to see Junot Diaz speak.

As we were the first people to arrive at the venue, some of us seized the chance to speak to Junot personally, shake hands, get autographs. Junot struck us as an incredibly warm and polite person with a broad smile and a great sense of humor. Here was a Pulitzer Prize winner asking us about our lives and our plans after graduation. He even gave Ida two kisses on the cheeks.

Before Junot read out his stories "Alma" and "Nilda", he shared with the audience of mostly students his advice about life. He told us to follow our dreams and not to live out somebody else’s dream. That's probably what I remember the most.

We are very grateful to Mrs Steen, Mrs Butchart and Ida, for organizing this excursion and giving us the chance to meet such an amazing writer.


Jessica Mattes, K12A
March 24, 2010