This week’s article takes us deeper into the Claremont Village by taking a stroll down First Street, where the road is lined with trees, bright neon signs and a host of businesses hoping to grab your attention. Walk up the wooden steps of the unmissable two-story, block-long building and through
Books
The Library of Translations: An exploration of censorship and desensitization in ‘We Had To Remove This Post’
In her column, Caroline Kelly offers her thoughts on the 2021 novella “We Had To Remove This Post,” written by Hanna Bervoets, a story about censorship in the digital age.
The Library of Translations: A Review of Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Book columnist Caroline Kelly PO’22 writes a review on Kim Jiyoung, Born in 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo. The novel chronicles the mundane life of a Korean woman from childhood to motherhood. Translated from Korean to English, the universal theme of female rage makes this international sensation a must-read.
Hidden Gems: ‘My Government Means to Kill Me’ charts political and sexual awakening amidst the AIDS crisis
Rasheed Newson’s “My Government Means to Kill Me” fictionalizes the social movements that arose in response to the U.S. government’s lackluster response to the AIDs crisis. Newson’s robust knowledge of LGBTQ history shines through the novel, but it falls short in its capacity as a narrative, writes book columnist Natalie Ortiz PO ‘25.
In ‘Tell Me I’m Worthless,’ the specter of fascism haunts the UK
Tell Me I’m Worthless uses horror as a vehicle for a timely political message. Unfortunately, the message is a little too obvious, writes book columnist Natalie Ortiz PO ’25.
Hidden Gems: In Titaua Peu’s “Pina”, Tahiti isn’t paradise
This week, book columnist Natalie Ortiz PO ’25 reviews Pina, the first novel by Tahitian author Titaua Peu to be translated to English. The novel deals with the darker shadows hidden beneath the Tahitian sun.
Hidden Gems: Angels, deities and found family in ‘Corrupted Vessels’
Found families have become a big fixture of literature, especially stories about the LGBTQ+ community. Briar Ripley Page’s Corrupted Vessels doesn’t shy away about the relationships can turn toxic.
Queer Asian Reads: Pizza, sex and slacking in Jean Kyoung Frazier’s debut novel
Book columnist Reia Li PO ’24 was blown away by the main character— a weird queer biracial Asian femme slacker—in “Pizza Girl,” Jean Kyoung Frazier’s debut novel.
Queer Asian Reads: The whimsy, love and pain in Chen Chen’s poetry
Book columnist Reia Li PO ’24 reflects how Chinese American poet Chen Chen combines humor and empathy to create poems that are joyful as well as painful to read.
Queer Asian Reads: Why I struggled with Nghi Vo’s reimagining of The Great Gatsby
When book columnist Reia Li PO ‘24 first read Nghi Vo’s novel, “The Chosen and the Beautiful” (2021), she had mixed feelings. It wasn’t until she read Vo’s next book, “Siren Queen” (2022), that she understood why.