Interior Chinatown NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES
A Personal Journey Through Race and Pop Culture
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd
Published:5th Aug '21
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£12.99(9781787702578)
This award-winning novel delves into identity and race through the life of Willis Wu, who dreams of being more than just a background character in his own story.
In Interior Chinatown, Charles Yu presents a poignant exploration of identity, race, and the roles we play in society. The protagonist, Willis Wu, navigates his life as Generic Asian Man, often relegated to the background in a world dominated by stereotypes. Each day, he leaves his cramped room in Chinatown to work at the Golden Palace restaurant, a set for a never-ending cop show. His aspirations to become Kung Fu Guy symbolize a yearning for recognition and respect, reflecting the broader struggles of marginalized communities in a pop culture landscape that often overlooks them.
As Willis's journey unfolds, he unexpectedly stumbles into the spotlight, leading him to uncover not just the hidden history of Chinatown, but also the legacy of his own family. This revelation propels him into a deeper understanding of his identity and the expectations placed upon him. The narrative weaves humor and heartbreak seamlessly, challenging readers to reflect on their own roles in the societal script.
Interior Chinatown has garnered critical acclaim, winning the National Book Award in 2020 and inspiring a major TV adaptation. Yu's inventive storytelling and sharp wit create a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making this novel a significant contribution to contemporary literature and a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of culture and identity.
“A funny, biting take down of the racism in the entertainment industry […] both humorous and heartrending.” * The Independent *
“A novel that manages the rare feat of being both extravagantly experimental and a lot of fun to read.” * The Times *
“From Paul Beatty’s The Sellout to Brandon Taylor’s Real Life, some of the most talked-about novels from the U.S. in recent years have been male coming-of-age narratives shaped by experiences of racism. Styled as a typewritten television script, [Interior Chinatown is a] zany spin on the genre.” * Daily Mail *
“Wrenching, hilarious, sharp, surreal, and above all, original.” * Emily St John Mandel *
“The novel is grounded by its arch comedy.” * The Telegraph *
“This is a hilarious book. You'll laugh at the universe Charles Yu creates, kitty-corner to our own and just so off-kilter—and then, without warning, you'll be pulled under by the riptide and everything will suddenly make beautiful, perfect, heartbreaking, unexplainable sense.” * Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of BoJack Horseman *
"One of the funniest books of the year has arrived, a delicious, ambitious Hollywood satire." * The Washington Post *
"Fresh and beautiful.... Interior Chinatown represents yet another stellar destination in the journey of a sui generis author of seemingly limitless skill and ambition." * The New York Times Book Review *
"Highly inventive and hilarious." (How To Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe) * The Times *
"Brimming with alternative universes, futuristic landscapes and gleeful metaphysics..... Yu's spirit of invention is infectious." (How To Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe) * The Sunday Times *
“An acid indictment of Asian stereotypes and a parable for outcasts feeling invisible in this fast-moving world.” * Kirkus Reviews *
"An immersive but surreal reading experience." * Los Angeles Times *
"Complexity and internality burst the seams of the stock stereotypes the characters are assigned." * TLS *
"Moving and haunting." * The Lonesome Reader *
"Haunting, gorgeous." * The Rumpus *
ISBN: 9781787703445
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
288 pages