There are some underrated works and some less celebrated authors. Every author pours a little of themselves in their work. Did you know earlier the literature was oral and not written on manuscripts? Asian Literature also stems from the same. It also mirrors the customs and traditions of the community, hence telling you a lot.
The question remains – Is that an intentional revelation or just a mere unconscious act?
Look at these books and their authors to know more about Asian culture?
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
Kiran Desai is an Indian author and a born storyteller. The Economic Times listed her amongst the 20 most influential global Indian women. Her celebrated work, The inheritance of loss (2006), grabbed attention worldwide and became a landmark for her successful career. The story underlines despair and also bridges the gap by unfolding joy. Desai recounts loss on different levels and produces her thoughts through passionate writing. She writes a geographically divided novel, and it makes us wonder where that dilemma for her originates?
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
Mira T. Lee did not plan to become a writer. But her life took turns, and she ended up finding her solace in words. Her debut novel, Everything is beautiful (2018), was amongst the top 10 Debut by the American Booksellers Association and named the best fiction by Amazon. The narrative talks about mental illness, sibling love, loyalty interracial relationships, and tests the limits of love. The story here originates from Lee’s experiences, and she pours a bit of herself into it. We find ourselves struggling with the question – How can an author write about their experiences and not make it a confessional account?
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
Chinese-born British writer, now living in London, Jung Chang wrote her family’s memoir Wild Swans (1991). It outlines the history of Mainland China and focuses on the themes of cruelty, bravery, and survival. The story revolves around the three women of her family, including herself, who rose to power and created an impact. Her book is banned in China, however widely read and celebrated. Hillary Clinton called it “an inspiring tale of women who survived every deprivation and political upheaval with their humanity intact.” Martin Amis said it made him feel like a five-year-old, adding it “has the breadth of the most enduring social history.”
How does an author feel while writing something so powerful that it transcends boundaries?
The Best We Could Do an Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui
As part of the boat people Thi Bui – born in Vietnam, came to the United States. She wrote her memoir The Best We Could Do (2017), portraying her escaping war-torn Vietnam. The interesting this about this memoir is that Thi Bui presents a graphic illustration of her story and lets the pictorial representation narrate the tale. It is an emotional and heart-wrenching story of hope for a better future and longing for home. The writing is hauntingly beautiful because it makes you think about the unspoken love that one shares with their child and the displacement their identity suffers.
Is it cathartic to pour your heart on paper, or does that make the past permanent and therefore public forever?
Have you ever had questions you wanted to ask the authors? The questions we outlined above have been staying for a long time in our minds. And, we are sure; if you resonate with someone’s work, you may feel like talking to them. Empowr club aims to provide you with a space to have conversations with an author and ask them about their books, writing process, etc.
