53 pages • 1 hour read
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In Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee, Korean American spy Henry Park struggles with the fallout of his failing marriage and his grief over his son’s death while navigating a life of espionage in New York City, attempting to infiltrate the political campaign of fellow Korean American John Kwang. The novel addresses issues of racism, assimilation, and personal identity within the immigrant experience. This book includes racial slurs directed against Asian Americans.
Chang-rae Lee's Native Speaker has been praised for its eloquent prose and deep exploration of immigrant identity and assimilation struggles. Critics applaud its complex characters and emotional depth, though some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s seen as a poignant and thought-provoking novel that resonates with many readers.
A reader who enjoys Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee typically appreciates immersive, culturally rich narratives exploring identity and assimilation. Similar to those captivated by Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake and Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, they favor introspective and poignant stories of the immigrant experience in America.
Recommended
Asian Literature
American Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Identity: Language
Identity: Race
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Asian Literature