Reading the Literatures of Asian America (Asian American History & Cultu) [Paperback]

Shirley Lim (Editor), Amy Ling (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 1992 | Series: Asian American History & Cultu

With the recent proliferation of critically acclaimed literature by Asian American writers, this groundbreaking collection of essays provides a unique resource for students, scholars, and the general reading public. The homogeneity implied by the term "Asian American" is replaced in this volume with the rich diversity of highly disparate peoples. Languages, religions, races and cultural and national backgrounds. Examining a century of Asian American literature from the late 19th century up through the contemporary experimental drama of Ping Chong, the contributors address the work of writers with Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, East Indian, and Pacific Island ancestry. Asian Canadian and Hawaiian literature are also considered. Author note: Shirley Geok-lin Lim is Professor of Asian Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Amy Ling is Associate Professor of English and Director of Asian American Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The prosaic title of this book is misleading, fooling the reader into believing that it is just another collection of essays on a particular ethnic literature. This is far from the truth. Although these essays explore the literary themes found in specific Asian American literary works, when read and digested in their totality they reveal themselves to be a well-organized anthology displaying the richness and diversity of Asian American culture and history, thoughts and beliefs. The book is separated into four interrelated sections covering Asian American identity, questions of gender and race, issues of ethnic boundaries and borders, and various interpretations of texts, and each section fully discusses these themes through an investigation of literary forms. A true sign that any genre has risen to the stature of Literature with a capital L is the appearance of literary criticism. This book is a sign that Asian American literature has finally arrived. Recommended for academic libraries.
- Glenn Masuchika, Chaminade Univ. Lib., Honolulu
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A unique collection of essays explores the diversity of Asian American literature from the 19th century to the present

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (October 19, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877229368
• ISBN-13: 978-0877229360
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,427,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)