12 Groundbreaking Books by Asian American Authors

Outstanding Asian American Fiction

1. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
3. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
4. Ash by Malinda Lo
5. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
6. Talon by Julie Kagawa
7. Angelfall by Susan Ee
8. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
9. Want by Cindy Pon
10. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
11. The Memory of Forgotten Things by Kat Zhang
12. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

A Brief History Of Asian American Literature

Authors of Asian descent have been writing literature in the United States since the country's beginning. But the term Asian American was largely popularized during the civil rights era. The modern understanding begins with the publication of Aiiieeeee! An Anthology of Asian-American Writers in 1974. It drew on contemporary authors alongside predecessors like John Okada and Carlos Bulosan. In the time since, Asian American authors have published everything from social fiction to memoirs to pulpy genre stories. Whether you're interested in literary fare like Chang-Rae Lee's Aloft, historical reimaginings like Karen Tei Yamashita's I-Hotel, experimental fiction like Theresa Hak-Kyung Cha's Dictee, or straightforward narratives like Bharati Mukherjee's Jasmine, you can find something like it on our list.

The State Of Asian American Literature

In Depth

Having a bicultural background can lead to a broader perspective on life. For authors, it is sometimes a strength that can help to generate creative and unusual narratives. From inspiring tales to thought-provoking novels, here are 12 groundbreaking works of fiction by Asian American authors, listed in no particular order.

Starting off at #1 is "A Tale for the Time Being." This story connects a teenage girl in Tokyo who keeps a diary to a novelist in British Columbia who finds it washed ashore. As both characters are of Japanese American descent, the novelist finds herself identifying with the girl's personal struggles. The novel transcends the concepts of time and space, and delves into the subject of identity. Written by Ruth Ozeki, this book has been internationally recognized more than twenty times, which include nominations and awards combined.

At #2 is "The Joy Luck Club." It follows the lives of four Chinese immigrant families living in 1949 San Francisco. The story revolves around four mothers who tell stories while playing mahjong. The viewpoints of the American-born daughters on their mothers' traumatic pasts are also explored. Amy Tan presents how cultural differences can divide a family, and depicts the unconditional love that breaks down barriers within relationships. It has been translated to more than 30 languages and had a film adaptation in 1993.

It has been translated to more than 30 languages and had a film adaptation in 1993.

At #3 is "The Sympathizer." This novel is made up of a confession from an anonymous half-Vietnamese, half-French double agent. It is full of dark humor and descriptive details. The narrative is set after the Vietnam war. The narrator spies on his fellow refugees in America and sends his reports back to Vietnam.

It presents a protagonist who is of two minds, and whose political beliefs conflict with his personal loyalties. Published in 2015, it is the debut novel of professor Viet Thanh Nguyen. It won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

At #4 is "Ash" by Malinda Lo. This novel is a modern re-imagining of the fairy tale Cinderella. It tells a story of a lesbian teenager who laments the death of her father. She commits herself to a dark fairy prince, only to find herself in love with the king's huntress. Lo provides readers with a strong female protagonist in an empowering narrative of love, solitude, and death. This young adult book not only presents a gay Cinderella, it also features a society free from prejudice against her.

Lo provides readers with a strong female protagonist in an empowering narrative of love, solitude, and death.

At #5 is "The Lives of Tao." The narrative begins with Roen, an overweight programmer, discovering that he has an alien called Tao living inside his head. As the protagonist goes on a journey of physical and mental transformation to fight aliens, the story takes on a humorous plot full of action, adventure, and geeky references. Released in 2013, it is Wesley Chu's debut novel, and the first book of the Lives of Tao series.

Coming in at #6 is "Talon." Written by Julie Kagawa, this novel revolves around a secret organization of dragons who disguise themselves as mortals and an order that aims to exterminate them. It follows a complicated love triangle between two dragons and a human, while presenting the issues of forbidden love, loyalty, and the search for freedom. With hilarious banter and an unusual storyline, this young adult book was optioned by Universal for a film adaptation even before it was published.

At #7 is "Angelfall," which follows the life of a 17-year-old girl who goes on a mission with a mysterious angel to save her younger sister from angel abductors. It features a tough heroine who struggles to protect her family. Written by Susan Ee, it has a post-apocalyptic setting and is the first installment of the Penryn and the End of Days series. The book has been translated to more than 20 languages, and was a finalist in the Best Fantasy and Fiction Book category of the 2011 Cybils Awards.

The book has been translated to more than 20 languages, and was a finalist in the Best Fantasy and Fiction Book category of the 2011 Cybils Awards.

At #8 is "Little Fires Everywhere," which follows the lives of two families who are brought together by their children. It presents a story about race and privilege while tackling the subjects of motherhood, young love, and family secrets. Celeste Ng engages readers with a set of well-developed characters going through life struggles, making the novel relatable. With its intriguing and realistic storyline, the book won Best Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards 2017. It was also named the Best Novel of 2017 by Amazon.

At #9 is "Want" by Cindy Pon. This sci-fi thriller presents issues around global warming, pollution, and social class. It tells the story of Jason Zhou. He aims to eradicate a divided society where only the rich can afford a protective suit that keeps them from the effects of a hazardous environment. Set in the polluted future of Taipei, this novel explores the value of friendship and the desire to make change. Pon also provides readers with an unexpected romance in this eye-opening narrative.

At #10 is "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon." The novel follows the life of a Chinese girl who seeks out a character from one of her father's tales to ask how she can change her family's poor fate. Along the way she meets different kinds of people and magical creatures. They impart upon her the true meaning of fortune.

Along the way she meets different kinds of people and magical creatures.

Written by Grace Lin, the story explores China's culture while providing a plot full of friendship, gratitude, and wisdom. With full-color illustrations, this fantasy-adventure fable was perfect material to adapt into a theatrical performance. It also received the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature and the John Newbery Medal, both in 2010.

At #11 is "The Memory of Forgotten Things," which tells a story of a twelve-year-old girl who intends to bring her mother back to life during a solar eclipse. Kat Zhang's novel is about death, acceptance, family, and friendship through the eyes of a grieving child. With its heartbreaking storyline, the narrative presents thought-provoking questions, like whether you would change the past if given the opportunity. Published in 2018, it also features the theory of parallel universes, making the book part science fiction.

Finally, at #12 is "Pachinko," which details a family saga spanning 70 years. After discovering that the rich man who impregnates her is already married to someone else, Sunja accepts a marriage offer from a Japanese man and migrates to her husband's country. Written by Min Jin Lee, the narrative is set in Korea and Japan.

After discovering that the rich man who impregnates her is already married to someone else, Sunja accepts a marriage offer from a Japanese man and migrates to her husband's country.

It presents the history of Korean discrimination in Japan and the struggles of immigrants to be accepted, all while going into themes of sacrifice, ambition, and familial loyalty. With its vivid details and immersive plot, the novel was included in various 2017 best books lists from The New York Times, BBC, and Esquire, among others.