Native Speaker (novel)

Native Speaker
Author Chang-Rae Lee
Country United States
Language English
Genre Novel
Publisher Berkley Books
Publication date
1995
Media type Print (paperback)
Pages 368 pp (first edition, paperback)
ISBN 978-1573225311
OCLC 38863471

Native Speaker (1995) is Chang-Rae Lee’s first novel. In Native Speaker, he creates a man named Henry Park who tries to assimilate into American society.

Synopsis

Plot

The plot in Native Speaker is a non-linear plot that goes from Henry's childhood, and back to his adulthood many times.

Characters

Major themes

Henry is the quintessential Korean-American, as much of his Korean heritage resonates through his voice, personality, and beliefs. His Korean upbringing still shows up in his adult life. Like many American immigrants trying to find an identity in a foreign land, Henry is an "...emotional alien...stranger [and] follower..." who constantly feels isolated from the country in which he lives and also the country from which he came. Even though he is almost completely Americanized, Henry Park has trouble adapting to the US. There are many challenges that come with fitting in to American life because of the difference in culture, beliefs, behavior; and because of the desire to still hold on to one’s heritage.[1]

Awards and nominations

References

  1. "Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee". Penguin Books USA. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, September 27, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.