Child of a Bygone Era

This book is written with charm and humour by a child who grew up between two worlds – an idyllic childhood in Hong Kong in the 1950s which was shattered by his return to England at the age of seven to a new life as a boarder at a Catholic preparatory school.

From the age of seven to seventeen, he travels between these worlds and comments on all the changes that occur in this dynamic decade. He sees Hong Kong develop from an entrepot to a booming manufacturing powerhouse with the effect this has on the Cantonese and their relationship with Europeans and compares this life to the smog-bound, tired English way of life only just beginning to recover from the devastation of the Second World War.

It is a joy to read and is a fascinating record of two worlds by a child of a bygone age.

Peter, the only child of John and Margaret Hunt, was born in Brighton in July 1940 but, at the age of five, began his life as a child in post-war Hong Kong.

At the age of seven, this idyllic life was shattered when he was sent back to England to enrol in a Catholic boarding school in Sussex and later a Catholic boarding public school in Somerset.

His later life was spent in advertising and marketing as well as being the author of five books about Jersey where he now lives with Jennifer, his companion of 20 years.

Customer Reviews

5.0

1 reviews

Julia Wilson

Child Of A Bygone Era by Peter Hunt is a fascinating account of the author’s early life.
Born in 1940, Peter Hunt spent his early years in Britain before moving to Hong Kong after the war and then returning to Britain for boarding school.
The reader is treated to glimpses of the author’s life in these very different environments. We hear how he travelled on the Queen Mary as well as freight ships – very different modes of transport.
What particularly caught my attention was the mention of a newsagent called Stan Hawkins who was a Poole Pirates supporter. I have watched the Pirates race when I was on holiday. As a speedway supporter for over forty years, Peter Hunt’s mention of speedway and what it is, was a real treat for me.
Tales of boarding school, trips to London, and colonial Hong Kong – this book is a glimpse into a lost age. It was a class society recovering from World War II. I found the whole book mesmerizing and enthralling as I immersed myself into a bygone era. It was a fascinating read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

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Julia Wilson

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