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.

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Queer Asian Reads: Spirits unleashed in Zen Cho’s fantasy masterpiece

Columnist Reia Li PO ‘24 wanted a way to connect to Chinese traditions despite being physically separated from their place of origin. “Spirit Abroad,” a collection of short stories that puts Chinese and Malaysian mythological creatures in more modern contexts, allowed her to do just that.

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Literary wanderings: Hisham Matar’s ‘The Return’ redefines the memoir

In his very first memoir, “The Return,” Hisham Matar tells more than just a story: he creates magic. And so, according to book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23, writing is like art.

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Literary wanderings: The many truths of the ‘Black Star Trilogy’

Although a bit lackluster at times, Marlon James’ “Dark Star Trilogy,” particularly “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” must be acknowledged for its brilliant structure, according to book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23.

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Literary wanderings: Are readers ready to re-live the pandemic?

Novels are, inevitably, a reflection of the time and place in which they are written. And so, it is no surprise that now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new genre of literature is emerging.  Last year, the list of novels written (explicitly or tangentially) about the pandemic

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