Description
Book SynopsisAn all-in-one craft guide and anthology, this is the first creative writing book to find inspiration and guidance in the diverse literary traditions of Asia. Including exemplary stories by leading writers from Japan, China, India, Singapore and beyond as well as those from Asian diasporas in Europe and America,
The Art and Craft of Asian Stories offers an exciting take on the traditional how-to writing guide by drawing from a rich new trove of short stories beyond the western canon which readers may never have encountered before. Whilst still taking stock of the traditional elements of story such as character, viewpoint and setting, Xu and Hemley let these compelling stories speak for themselves to offer readers new ideas and approaches which could enrich their own creative work. Structured around the themes encountered in the stories, such as race and identity, history and power, family and aspirations, this text is a vital companion for writers at all levels keen to develop an
Trade ReviewThe clarity with which Xu and Hemley break down the stories is remarkable ... The book’s assessments of the machinations of these short stories reads a lot like a friendly, but sharp, editorial letter ... [and] I enjoyed every paragraph of the editors’ good advice. I loved the deft way in which they reminded us about the deeper message of inclusivity that’s being posited here, from the book’s raison d’être to its gentle reminders about writing 'the other' carefully and respectfully. The question of authenticity is tackled to great effect, but never ad nauseum, and this reader is grateful for the book’s continuous gentle, wry, tone. * Undomesticated Magazine *
Xu Xi and Robin Hemley are brilliant guides to the art of fiction. This anthology, long awaited, is a joy to behold, illuminating a larger world for a new generation of writers. * Madeleine Thien, author of 'Do Not Say We Have Nothing' *
Everyone knows that the domination of Western storytelling is a problem, but what to do about it?
The Art and Craft of Asian Stories offers practical and thought-provoking advice. And you don't have to be an Asian storyteller, by the way, to be enriched and inspired by these pages. * Gish Jen, author of The Resisters *
Table of ContentsCredits and Permissions Introduction
Chapter One: Family Matters 1. “The Brothers” Lysley Tenorio (USA) 2. “My Mother Pattu” Saras Manickam (Malaysia)
Chapter Two: Attraction 1. “Convince Me” Jiang Yitan (China) translated from Chinese (Mandarin) by Philip Hand 2. “No Toes” Michael Mohammed Ahmad (Australia)
Chapter Three: Routines 1. “We That Summer” Han Yujoo (Korea) translated from Korean by Janet Hong 2. “Birds” by Deepak Unnikrishnan (UAE)
Chapter Four: Little Fish 1. “A Clerk’s Story” Dilip Kumar (India) translated from Tamil by Padma Narayanan 2. “National Day” Jeremy Tiang (Singapore) 3. “An Errand” Angelo Lacuesta, (Philippines)
Chapter Five: Shedding Skins 1. “All About Skin” Xu Xi (USA) 2. “Dragon Menu” Zhang Xinxin (China) translated from Chinese (Mandarin) by Helen Wang
Chapter Six: Invaders 1. “Farangs” Rattawut Lapcharoensap (USA) 2. “Boondocks” Robin Hemley (USA)
Chapter Seven: Diasporas 1. “The Boat” Nam Le (Australia) 2. “Dreams in English” Noelle Q. de Jesus (Philippines)
Chapter Eight: Mysteries 1. “The Door,” Dorothy Tse (Hong Kong) translated from Chinese (Cantonese) by Natascha Bruce 2. “Where did I Lose You?” Fan Xiaoqing (China) translated from Chinese (Mandarin) by Paul Harris
Chapter Nine: Taboos 1. “The Quilt,” Ismat Chughtai (India) translated from Urdu by Gopika Jadeja 2. “Video” Meera Nair (USA) 3. “Prayer in Training” Ploi Pirapokin (USA)
Chapter Ten: Histories 1. “Bee Honey” Yoshimoto Banana (Japan) translated from Japanese by Michael Emmerich 2. “Lee Kuan Yew is not Always the Answer” Inez Tan, (Singapore)
Chapter Eleven: Future Tense 1. “Pink” Hoshino Tomoyuki (Japan) translated from Japanese by Brian Bergstrom 2. “Learning Curve” Yeung Chak Yan (Hong Kong) Index
