The Foreign Student
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
325
Novel • Fiction
Tennessee • 1950s
1998
Adult
18+ years
In The Foreign Student by Susan Choi, a Korean student named Chuck Anh and Katherine Monroe, a wealthy Southern Belle from a troubled family, develop a deep connection on the Sewanee campus in the mid-1950s as they share and confront their past traumas and personal struggles, ultimately leading to a profound romance. The narrative includes experiences of abuse and war trauma.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Romantic
918 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Susan Choi's The Foreign Student offers a nuanced portrayal of cross-cultural experiences and emotional depths. Readers commend its rich character development and lyrical prose. However, some find its pacing uneven, which could detract from the overall narrative engagement. The novel successfully captures the complexities of immigrant identity and post-war trauma.
Readers who appreciate intricate character studies, historical backdrops, and themes of cultural identity will enjoy Susan Choi's The Foreign Student. Fans of Min Jin Lee's Pachinko and Chang-rae Lee's Aloft will find similar resonance in this exploration of love, trauma, and the immigrant experience.
918 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
325
Novel • Fiction
Tennessee • 1950s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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