74 pages • 2 hours read
Interior Chinatown
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
San Francisco • Contemporary
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Interior Chinatown follows aspiring actor Willis Wu as he navigates stereotypical roles within the TV industry while grappling with his identity as an Asian American. Shot in a screenplay format with tags denoting scenes and characters, Willis’s story explores his struggle between pursuing his dream role of Kung Fu Guy and breaking free from cultural and familial expectations to find his true self.
Challenging
Humorous
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
66,726 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Charles Yu's Interior Chinatown explores identity and assimilation with wit and originality. Its inventive narrative style blends script format with prose, which some readers find fresh and engaging, but others see as disjointed. The novel's humor and poignant critique of Hollywood's stereotyping resonate well, though a few critique its pacing. Satisfying and thought-provoking overall.
Who Should Read Interior Chinatown?
A reader who would enjoy Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu is likely interested in satirical narratives that explore identity, race, and stereotypes. Fans of Paul Beatty’s The Sellout or Ling Ma’s Severance will appreciate its unique structure and incisive commentary, blending humor and sharp social critique in a compelling, layered story.
66,726 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ming-Chen Wu
Ming-Chen Wu
Willis’s father, a former "Kung Fu Guy" who is now aging and in decline, resigned to playing the role of "Old Asian Man."
Karen Lee
Karen Lee
An attractive Asian actress known for her ability to slip into various ethnic roles, who plays a significant part in influencing Willis's perspective on his limitations.
Detectives Green and Turner
Detectives Green and Turner
Stars of the TV show Black and White; Green is a white female detective, and Turner is a Black male detective, both serving as archetypes within the narrative.
288
Novel • Fiction
San Francisco • Contemporary
2020
Adult
18+ years
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