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53 pages 1 hour read

Native Speaker

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995

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Book Brief

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Chang-rae Lee

Native Speaker

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995
Book Details
Pages

349

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1990s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

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.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Mysterious

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.0

9,060 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Native Speaker?

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.

4.0

9,060 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

349

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1990s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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