Welcome to the website of When the Phoenix Rises, by Wendy Wong!

REVIEW BY WRITE FIELD

In her memoir, ‘When the Phoenix Rises’, author and renowned business woman, Wendy Wong, shares a unique and fascinating life story about her struggle to emerge from a life of poverty in Hong Kong, China, to that of a successful business woman and mother living in Hawaii.

Wendy begins her story as a young girl living in abject poverty in Post World War II China. She shares a childhood of bleak conditions where her father and mother could barely make ends meet. She recalls an incident where she woke in bed one night to feel the bloody fur of a mouse that was dying from poisoning in her bed. 

At a very young age, Wendy knew she was meant to rise above her dismal conditions to achieve success both personally and professionally. No matter what challenges confronted her, including the subservient role assigned to women, Wendy never let them defeat her. Her relationship with men, especially with a Hawaii real estate tycoon, is an example of how she converted love into guidance on succeeding in a tough business world. When she changed her name from Cindy (Cinderella) to Wendy, it marked a point in her life where she begins to discover her own sense of self. Throughout out her life, she learns many valuable life lessons which she shares with readers:

“To Chinese, education is not only for academics, but most importantly; it is for moral and social education.”

“…you have to take chances, work diligently, be creative, and listen to your instincts.”

“I am my greatest asset, and I must please myself as much as I please family and friends.”

From her son’s outstanding education path, to providing her developmentally challenged daughter with many resources to help her find her own place of contentment, readers will discover that it is Wendy’s children and their success that keeps her grounded and focused. 

Wendy’s determination regarding her education, business ventures, and personal relationships, helped shape a modern day feminist outlook on life. The experiences and accomplishments she shares along with the setbacks, both personally and professionally reveal how her character and moral convictions evolved.

‘When the Phoenix Rises’ is an inspiring journey of how one woman overcame insurmountable odds not only to find herself, but to gracefully embrace motherhood as a working mom. The memoir is highly recommended as an inspirational story of modern day feminism rooted in a strong cultural motif.

REVIEW BY PING XU

It's a fantastic book about love, relationship, success, choice and culture. This book could turn into a great movie as it is so genuine. The author's experience proves that all the dreams are possible as long as we have the courage to pursue them. So read it, as it might change your life in a certain level. I personally really enjoy reading it; it is a valuable and wonderful book!


REVIEW BY FUNG, PO SUM

When the Phoenix Rises is a moving and sentimental autobiographical narrative, which chronicles the life of Wendy Wong and her journey to success. It is not merely a love story, or a romantic novel, but one which describes the co-existence of love and friendship. One reader commented that the novel would make a great film; I simply cannot agree more. The beautiful descriptions of love's lingering melancholy in the novel would most certainly have stunning effects on the audience in a film remake.

This book is close to the heart for me as I find so many similarities between my own life and that of the author. Just like Wong, I was raised in a lower-middle class family in Hong Kong. My parents were inherently sexist and throughout the years showed strong favoritism towards male members in the family. Like Wong's mother, my mother enjoyed frequently cooking soup for us with Chinese ingredients. Before moving into a public estate, our family of six practically lived on top of one another in a 90-feet rented flat, with shared kitchens and bathrooms with plenty of other neighbours. In the novel the author described how her family could not afford piano lessons. I started learning how to play at 46 and have found the fulfilling of this lifelong dream immensely enjoyable. Recently, I asked my mother why she had not sent me to piano lessons. She replied that they could barely provide for our basic needs, let alone such a luxury.

The similarities continue; the author's brother committed suicide at a young age, whereas my youngest brother suffered from acute leukaemia. Within 12 hours of being diagnosed he passed away, at the mere age of 16.

I began dating boys when I was around 12. The boy I met at 16 years old is now a good friend. To a certain extent, we still very much care for each other. At university, I had a boyfriend who was a medical student, with whom I became very close for years but in the end he broke my heart. I married an average Joe and gave birth to two lovely children.

The biggest difference between the author and I is the fact that I have never really seen the world in all its glory. I know that I am fully capable of enjoying immense success in life, but for the sake of making a living I have been trapped in an office doing 9-5 everyday. For half a century my life flew by uneventfully. My only motivations are my two children, who are at boarding school in England.

Being such an ordinary person, many of my great dreams cannot be materialised the same way as the author's. However, I understand that, the search for love is a journey, which is both long-lasting fully invested as well sincere and genuine. All of the characters in the novel are pure and honest, and they deserve all the love and devotion to which the author has dedicated. My tears begin to fall as I read line after line. I could feel the joy of love and friendship, and the success of the author from every single story. This is a novel which touches your heart and I highly recommend it.