The author and playwright Simon Choa-Johnston discusses his new novel, The House of Wives (Penguin, 2016), finding out about his family’s history, and more, with Joseph Planta.

The House of Wives by Simon Choa-Johnston (Penguin, 2016). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The House of Wives

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Simon Choa-Johnston joins me now. He has just published a new novel, The House of Wives. In 1862, Emanuel leaves Calcutta for Hong Kong. He leaves behind a wife, Semah, as he attempts to make a fortune in the opium trade. While in the Far East, he falls in love with a woman 20 years younger than him, and upon their marriage, builds her a large mansion. Their lives change when Semah arrives unannounced. I’ll get Mr. Choa-Johnston to tell us as much as he can about what happens next, the genesis of this book, his own journey looking at his own family’s history and how that informed the story in The House of Wives. Simon Choa-Johnston is artistic director emeritus of the Gateway Theatre. He was at the artistic helm of the Richmond theatre company from 2000 to 2012. He’s written a number of plays including Sisters, Rice Rockets & Yacht People, Wildcat, Gold Mountain Guest, and Running Dog, Paper Tiger, among others, which have been produced by companies throughout the county. He’s also written a number of radio plays and television shows for the CBC. The website for more is at www.simonjohnston.ca. The book is published by Penguin. He lives in White Rock, where he joins me from today. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Simon Choa-Johnston; Mr. Choa-Johnston, good morning.

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