Writing historical fiction is an unfolding process of discovery: an unexpected fact or event → a human question → a plot twist, a character trait, an element of setting, an emotional reaction. Now that novel seven is almost done – 9 if you include two children’s novels – it’s becoming clear that every story I’ve written is shaped by unexpected discoveries about the history of the time period.
An example:
When researching, I’m trying to discover enough about the history on an era to immerse myself in the world of my characters: the sights and sounds, touch and taste, attitudes and beliefs, geography and landscape, government and religion, and so on.
While writing The Admiral’s Wife which is partly set in 1912 Hong Kong, I consulted many sources. One topic that caught my attention was how the British who ruled the territory discriminated against the native Chinese population with various laws, policies, and restrictions. For example, certain areas of Hong Kong, such as what’s now known as The Peak, were reserved for British households. Many clubs did not admit Chinese members. Certain public spaces, like libraries and museums, implemented time limits for Chinese citizens. The police treated Chinese citizens more harshly than British citizens. Curfews were in place to restrict Chinese from being on the streets late at night. Moreover, English was the official language for all government policies, laws, procedures. Cantonese – the primary language of Hong Kong Chinese – was not used in government.
One day, I discovered that a few Chinese had “unofficial” roles on the Legislative Council that governed Hong Kong. Such Chinese participation was limited to wealthy, Western-educated elites appointed by the Governor. They represented Chinese business interests and could advise but had no voting rights.
How would Isabel Taylor, the admiral’s wife, feel about such discrimination? She was educated and younger than many of the women of influence who lived in Hong Kong. And through her father’s work, she’d met men from other countries including China. Would she challenge the prevailing attitudes?
In this small scene, Isabel has accompanied her husband Henry Taylor, the Admiral, to a welcome party at the Governor’s mansion. As Admiral of the China Fleet, Henry has an influential, senior role. Isabel is expected to play her supporting role.
~~~
A buffet supper on the terrace followed the interval of mingling in the ballroom. Henry was attentive as couples stopped by the head table to offer a welcome. He seemed to be in his element, greeting those he’d already met with warm enthusiasm, responding to new faces with courtesy and questions that made his interest immediately clear. Isabel hadn’t seen him so effusive in a long time. Perhaps London was stifling his talents, she thought.
When he excused himself to speak with a group of military men, she took a moment to slip away from the crowd and the endless questions posed by well-meaning guests. A string quartet played classical music in one corner of the terrace, soothing sounds that eased the tension of being on display. Paper lanterns strung back and forth across the terrace glowed against the darkness. Here and there shadows flickered.
The governor’s garden beckoned with a lush blend of familiar flowers like rhododendrons and roses as well as local varieties unknown to Isabel. She ambled along a path leading to wide steps and a distant fountain, then stopped in front of a bush covered in white blossoms. Isabel leaned close to inhale the sweet aroma.
“You must be Admiral Taylor’s wife.”
Startled, she turned and was surprised to discover a Chinese couple arm in arm. The man’s dark brown eyes gazed at her with interest. He was taller than most Chinese men she’d seen on the streets, his shoulders wide rather than narrow. Like most of the men in attendance, he wore a tuxedo, but the woman’s floor-length gown was clearly a Chinese style, a fitted design with a high neck and slits up both sides of the skirt so that her steps were not too restricted. The pattern—rich blue with delicate pink flowers—flattered the woman’s slender figure and enhanced her black hair and pale skin. The effect was stunning.
“I am,” said Isabel, raising her eyebrows in response.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Li Tao-Kai. Your husband and I were introduced at a cricket match the other day. May I present my wife, Wen Lee Chu?” He spoke with an impeccable British accent, and his mouth widened into a generous smile.
“Li Tao-Kai? Did you attend Cambridge?”
“Yes. But how did you know that?”
“You came to dinner at my parents’ home one night with a group of students. You sat next to me.” Isabel blushed. “Please forgive my bad manners. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Li, and you, Mrs. Wen.” She knew that the Chinese gave their last names first and had therefore addressed Li Tao-Kai as Mr. Li—but was Wen Lee Chu “Mrs. Li,” or did she use Wen as her surname? Isabel wondered who in this British-dominated society would help her learn about Chinese customs.
The woman said something in Cantonese and bowed. Following this, she fluttered an ivory fan in front of her face.
“My wife says she is delighted to meet you. She apologizes for being unable to speak English. But to your question, I do remember that dinner. You asked many questions.” He chuckled.
Isabel smiled. “My mother instructed me to ask questions. ‘Men don’t need to listen to a young woman’s chatter,’ she would say. But I’m the one who should apologize for being unable to speak your language. Please tell your wife that her gown is beautiful.”
After another exchange in Cantonese, during which Wen Lee Chu smiled then hid once more behind her fan, Li Tao-Kai asked Isabel what had surprised her most about Hong Kong.
“I can’t believe how crowded it is,” she said. “Or the poverty I see in the streets.”
Li Tao-Kai tilted his head. His eyes had narrowed although his smile remained firmly in place.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Li. I should not have spoken my mind. My husband assures me it’s one of my failings.”
“On the contrary, we should not hide from the truth,” he said. “My country is indeed full of poverty, and with more people seeking refuge here every day, this will unfortunately continue to be the case.”
“And why do they seek refuge here?”
Li Tao-Kai’s dark eyebrows drew together. “There are difficulties on the mainland. The Qing dynasty has failed and people are afraid. Under the British, Hong Kong is stable. So they come here.” He gestured at the garden with a wide sweep of one arm. “But it is too pleasant a night to talk about politics. What a pleasure to meet you again. I’m sure you’ve explored some of Hong Kong, but have you seen one of our operas? They are a unique experience.”
Isabel saw Henry approaching. “Not yet, Mr. Li. But I look forward to the opportunity once my husband and I are more settled. When I learned that Admiral Taylor and I were being sent to Hong Kong, I wondered if I would see you.”
“There you are,” Henry said. He closed the distance between them. “Mr. Li, good evening to you. I trust you will understand if I take my wife away to meet a few others in the British community.”
“Certainly, Admiral Taylor. Mrs. Taylor, my wife and I look forward to another conversation.”
“It will be a pleasure, Mr. Li, Mrs. Wen.”
Isabel smiled broadly in an effort to hide her discomfort over what Henry had just said. The tone of his words, if not the words themselves, had been less than polite. Had he intended to insult Mr. Li? She’d already encountered some of the discriminatory practices of the British: segregated hospitals, clubs that only accepted European members, hotels that barred Chinese and other Asians, and a zoning law preventing anyone of Chinese ethnicity, other than servants, from living on the Peak. But she hadn’t imagined her husband holding the kind of views that fostered these practices.
Earlier that evening, Isabel had noticed a few Chinese couples in attendance, most of whom mingled with what her husband referred to as the wealthy crowd and those on the legislative council. Henry had also explained that the large merchandising companies as well as the banks hired influential Chinese men who spoke English to act as go-betweens in negotiations and other matters. She wondered how it was that Li Tao-Kai had been invited to tonight’s event. He was too young to be considered a community leader.
From history to story … always an exciting journey.
FOR MORE ON READING & WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION – AND OCCASIONAL POLITICAL POSTS – FOLLOW A WRITER OF HISTORY. There’s a SUBSCRIBE function on the right hand side of the page.
M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel THAT WAS THEN is a contemporary thriller. Mary’s other novels, THE ADMIRAL’S WIFE, PARIS IN RUINS, TIME AND REGRET, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook or on her website www.mktod.com.
