[1] Lim, of Eurasian ancestry,[2] has heritage from an ethnic Chinese Singaporean father and a British mother.

She stated that her level of speaking Cantonese was "shamefully basic" but she identifies as a Hong Konger regardless.

Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review, concluding that it "is a vivid and vital contribution to postcolonial history.

"[4] Joshua Wallace of Tarleton State University, writing for Library Journal, gave the book a starred review and described it as "A fascinating work".

[5] Indelible City was shortlisted for the 2023 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Nonfiction[6] and the 2023 Stella Prize.