The Accidental Asian
The Accidental Asian
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Brief
206
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
United States • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Published in 1998, The Accidental Asian: Notes of a Native Speaker is an essay collection by Eric Liu that delves into the complexities of being a second-generation Chinese American, examining the impacts of assimilation, the challenges of maintaining an "Asian American" identity, and personal reflections on heritage and family dynamics, all conveyed with humor and irony.
Contemplative
Informative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
979 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Eric Liu's The Accidental Asian offers a poignant and introspective exploration of racial identity, compellingly weaving personal anecdotes with broader cultural reflections. Positive reviews praise its thought-provoking insights and eloquent prose. However, some critiques highlight a lack of depth in addressing systemic issues and a tendency toward anecdotal overreach.
Who Should Read The Accidental Asian?
Readers who appreciate personal memoirs and sociopolitical explorations of identity will enjoy Eric Liu’s The Accidental Asian. Fans of Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father and Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior will find Liu’s nuanced narrative on race, culture, and assimilation profoundly engaging.
979 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
206
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
United States • 1990s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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