Chang-rae Lee

Chang-rae Lee is a Korean-American novelist known for his deep explorations of themes including identity, immigration, and assimilation. His notable works include 'Native Speaker', 'The Surrendered', and 'On Such a Full Sea'. Lee's writing often reflects his interest in the complexities of cultural identity and the experiences of Korean Americans. He has received numerous awards for his literary contributions, making him a significant figure in contemporary American literature.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Native Speaker

    Cover of 'Native Speaker' by Chang-rae Lee

    This novel delves into the life of Henry Park, a Korean-American industrial spy in New York City, who grapples with his complex identity, torn between his American upbringing and Korean heritage. After his young son's death and a separation from his wife, Henry's latest assignment—to spy on a rising Korean-American politician—forces him to confront his feelings of alienation and his struggle with language and loyalty. Through his journey, the narrative explores themes of cultural identity, betrayal, and the immigrant experience, painting a poignant picture of a man on the fringes of two cultures, seeking a place to belong.

    The 6560th Greatest Book of All Time

  2. 2. On Such A Full Sea

    Cover of 'On Such A Full Sea' by Chang-rae Lee

    In a dystopian future America, society is stratified into strictly segregated classes where the labor class, primarily of Chinese descent, lives in labor colonies to produce goods for the elite, charter villages. The story follows a young woman named Fan, who leaves her home in the labor settlement of B-Mor (once Baltimore) after the disappearance of her boyfriend. Her journey through the anarchic open counties and into the privileged charter villages becomes a tale of self-discovery and rebellion, challenging the oppressive societal norms and sparking a legend that reverberates through the classes, inspiring others to dream of change.

    The 9107th Greatest Book of All Time