Have you noticed the popularity of Asian authors? Best Seller lists are highlighting so many and I wanted to make an effort to expand into that experience.
I first became enthralled with something Asian as a young teen when I saw the movie, “Sayonara”, with it’s post WWII-Korean War theme which introduced me to a Japanese culture of beautiful gardens, Kabuki Theatre, and the Takarazuka Dance Troupe. Later I became more familiar with Japan when I was assigned a roommate in college from Tokyo. Her quiet grace and humble diligence made me want to see Japan and Asia even more. Later, I was able to travel to China, Japan and Hong Kong embedding myself into their unique cultures. Now I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Asian communities abound, and I am privileged to have many as friends.
My journey into books written by Asian and Asian American authors has been enriching. Some books are historical fiction taking me across the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, in “The Mountains Sing” (54), by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and into the struggles between Korea and Japan in the early 20th Century in “Pachinko” (13) by Min Jin Lee.
When I picked another book by Min Jin Lee I was surprised when she switched the genre to modern-day and a first generation Korean American who easily fits into the American lifestyle while her immigrant parents struggle, in a book called, of all things, “Free Food For Millionaires” (75). Janie Chang wrote two historic fictions, “Dragon Springs Road” (67) and “The Library of Legends” (79), filled with ancient Chinese myths and folk lore which I found to be mystical and lyrical but also had poignant story lines.
These authors all are great storytellers and I believe they provide a chance to sit back and enjoy their quiet bravery and fortitude and experience the rich cultures of Asia. It sometimes makes our Covid struggles look doable and easier.
BonniesBookEscape.com 