53 pages • 1 hour read
Native Speaker
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Book Brief
349
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1990s
1995
Adult
18+ years
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
9,060 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
9,060 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
349
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 1990s
1995
Adult
18+ years
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