Ask a Korean! Wiki: Novels by Korean Americans

Dear Korean,

Do you have any recommendations of novels written by Korean Americans? Preferably 1.5 or 2nd generation? I've already read Native Speaker, Free Food for Millionaires, and one more that escape my mind right now.

Amy


Dear Amy,

In most cases, the novels that the Korean reads are the ones that are at least 50 years old -- namely, the classics that every educated person should read. That precludes pretty much all Korean American literature. (However, the Korean is certain that he read almost all Korean novels worth reading.) The Korean did read the Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee -- he remembers being unimpressed, except for a few extremely poignant moments of the immigrant experience that were well captured. Lee also made a few errors in Korean language and culture, which annoyed the Korean.

Purely as a side note, the Korean is currently reading The Trial by Kafka, Gulliver's Travel by Jonathan Swift, and Shiji Liezhuan by Sima Zhen.

Readers, got anything? Reviews are also welcome.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@hotmail.com.