Two thrillers raise questions about writing from a particular race and identity
Sep 1, 2023
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R.F. Kuang talks about writing Yellowface and the intricacies of friendship and cultural appropriation. Joe Ide discusses writing his IQ series from the perspective of a Black protagonist, influenced by his upbringing in South Central LA.
'Yellowface' challenges conventional ideas of appropriation and raises thought-provoking questions about writing outside one's own experience.
Through Isaiah's character, Eday tackles issues of race, identity, and belonging, while challenging traditional notions of who gets to tell certain stories.
Deep dives
Thrillers as an Escape During Parental Leave
While on parental leave, the host noticed a shift in his reading preferences towards thrillers. The fast-paced nature of thrillers provided a much-needed escape from the demands of parenthood. Despite his love for literary novels, the host found it difficult to engage with them during sleep-deprived nights. Thus, he delves into two thrilling novels featured in the podcast, one of which explores the dark underworld of publishing.
The Complexities of Identity and Cultural Appropriation in 'Yellowface'
The podcast discusses RF Kwong's novel 'Yellowface' which revolves around a writer named June, who steals her friend Athena's unpublished manuscript, while also assuming a false Chinese-American identity. Kwong examines themes of identity, cultural appropriation, and the commodification of racial experiences. The author questions the notions of diversity as a marketable asset and explores the consequences and criticisms faced by those who adopt different racial identities. 'Yellowface' challenges conventional ideas of appropriation and raises thought-provoking questions about writing outside one's own experience.
Joe Eday and the Voice of Isaiah Quintabe
The podcast highlights author Joe Eday's long-running IQ series, centered around Isaiah Quintabe, a black PI in Los Angeles. Despite not sharing the same racial background as his protagonist, Eday skillfully captures the voice of Isaiah and delves into the complexities of cultural affiliation and authenticity. Eday's personal experience growing up in a neighborhood predominantly occupied by African Americans influenced his portrayal and informed his understanding of diverse voices. Through Isaiah's character, Eday tackles issues of race, identity, and belonging, while challenging traditional notions of who gets to tell certain stories.
Today's episode focuses on two thrillers that our host, Andrew Limbong, read while on parental leave. First, R.F. Kuang speaks with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about her novel Yellowface and the complicated nuances of writing about friendship and cultural appropriation. Then, Japanese-American author Joe Ide takes a walk with Karen Grigsby Bates, formerly of NPR's Code Switch team, to explain how his upbringing in South Central L.A. informed his series I.Q. and his choice to write from the perspective of a Black protagonist.