Michael James

Roughly based on my own experiences living in Hong Kong, Dancers on the Midway is my first novel, a work of literary fiction that is set against the tumultuous backdrop of Hong Kong’s transition from British to Chinese control in the late 1980s,

James is an American who finds himself caught up in a complicated and emotionally charged relationship with Lisa, a Chinese woman from Beijing. As they navigate their differences in culture and background, they must also confront the political tensions between China and the West, with Lisa's family being involved in the government. The novel weaves together themes of love, cultural identity, and political intrigue in a gripping tale set in the unique environment of pre-1997 Hong Kong.

The emotional details of the story are highlighted through the friendships and relationships between the characters, as well as their personal struggles and past traumas. James, in particular, is haunted by his difficult childhood and struggles to open up to others, while Lisa harbors secrets and a traumatic past—one that continuously haunts both her and her relationship with James.

As turbulent times strike James, both in his relationships and the political landscape around him, he is forced to come to terms with love, loss, duty, and what it means to tempt destiny

I hold a degree in English and Creative Writing from Stanford University, and I am a resident of Hong Kong.