Asian American & Pacific Islander Literature

In May, we celebrate the vital contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Explore this collection to find texts related to AAPI history and culture, including works by Ted Chiang, C Pam Zhang, and Ha Jin, among others.

The Last Contract of Isako

by Fonda Lee

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Apathy, Conflict, Guilt, Aging, Death, Future, Environment, Teamwork, Social Class, Economics, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy

Fonda Lee’s The Last Contract of Isako (2026) is a science-fiction novel from the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the acclaimed Green Bone Saga series, the first book of which is Jade City (2018). Combining cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, and corporate espionage, the story is set in the future on the planet Aquilo, where a hyper-capitalist corporation governs all life. The novel follows Isthmus Isako, a legendary 50-year-old contractor who operates within a rigid warrior ethos... Read The Last Contract of Isako Summary

The Leavers

by Lisa Ko

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Music

Tags Chinese Literature, Asian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature, Parenting

The Leavers, author Lisa Ko's debut novel, won the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Inspired by a 2009 New York Times article about an undocumented Chinese woman held in predominantly solitary detention for 18 months, The Leavers tells the coming-of-age tale of Deming Guo/Daniel Wilkinson’s loss and eventual reconciliation with his birth mother, Polly Guo. In his journey to find his mother, Daniel learns of Polly’s challenges and comes to terms with his... Read The Leavers Summary

The Magic Fish

by Trung Le Nguyen

Publication year 2020

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Love, Shame & Pride, Fear, Perseverance, Conflict, Hope, Sexual Identity

Tags LGBTQ+, Fantasy, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Asian Literature, Life-Inspired Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Magic Fish Summary

The Namesake

by Jhumpa Lahiri

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Immigration, Marriage

Tags Coming of Age, Immigration & Refugeeism, Diversity, Race & Racism, Relationships, Indian Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature

The Namesake is a novel by the distinguished American writer Jhumpa Lahiri, who is known for her traditional narrative style often dealing with sensitive issues of immigrant life and culture clash. First published in 2003, this is her first novel, originally published in The New Yorker in shorter form, and it follows an immigrant Bengali family in America and the way its members adapt to a culture and society very different to their own. The... Read The Namesake Summary

The Orphan Master's Son

by Adam Johnson

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction

The Orphan Master’s Son is the story of Jun Do, an “everyman” caught up in high-stakes politics in a fictionalized version of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. As the son of the orphan master, Jun Do grows up among orphans and bears a martyr’s name, experiences which follow him throughout his life. During a period of national famine, Jun Do and the orphans are sent to join the army. As the head of an... Read The Orphan Master's Son Summary

The Palace of Illusions

by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fate

Tags Historical Fiction, Indian Literature, Asian Literature, Asian Literature, World History, Fantasy

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s 2008 novel, The Palace of Illusions, is a retelling of the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata. Divakaruni is also the author of short story collection Arranged Marriage (1995) and novels Sister of My Heart (1999) and One Amazing Thing (2009). The Palace of Illusions is narrated from the point of view of Panchaali, a princess who is born from fire. Her brother, Dhri, is born this way as well. They inhabit a world... Read The Palace of Illusions Summary

The Paper Menagerie

by Ken Liu

Publication year 2016

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes The Past

Tags Fantasy, Chinese Literature, Asian Literature, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism

The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories is a collection of 15 short stories from the award-winning science fiction author, Ken Liu. The collection includes tales of magical realism, futuristic technology, historical fiction, and gritty noir. Simon and Schuster published the book in 2016.Through these narratives, which often switch back from past to present or from story to book excerpts or legends, Liu invokes several diverse worlds with many Asian protagonists. In his stories, he references... Read The Paper Menagerie Summary