Book Talk: Asian American Stories w/ Author Winnie M. Li (West Portal)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

On an unexpected road trip, estranged siblings uncover a family secret & larger truths about being Asian American in a post-COVID America. 

Meet the author, find out about a terrific new book, ask questions and hear directly from the author, and get personalized signed books!

Bookshop West Portal is truly looking forward to welcoming Winnie M. Li in celebration of her novel What We Left Unsaid. She’ll be joined in conversation by Grace Loh Prasad, author of The Translator’s Daughter.

You don’t need to have read the book beforehand to enjoy the event, but we do recommend reserving your copy ahead of time: **Click here to order your copy of What We Left Unsaid**

The Chu siblings haven’t seen each other in years but when they’re told that their ailing mother is scheduled for an operation next month, they agree to visit her together. Then their mother makes an odd request: before seeing her, they must go on a road trip together to the Grand Canyon.

Thirty years ago, a strange incident had aborted a previous family road trip there. No one’s ever really spoken about it, but during this journey, the middle-aged Chu siblings have no choice but to confront their childhood experience.

Together, Bonnie, Kevin, and Alex travel along Route 66–but as the trip continues, they realize the Great American Road Trip may not be what they expected. Facing their own prejudices and those of others, they somehow learn to bridge the distances between them, the present-day, and their past.

With “powerful and beautiful writing” (Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author), Winnie M Li weaves an emotive and eye-opening exploration of family, race, growing up, and what it means to be American.

Winnie M. Li is an American author and activist living in the UK with her partner and young son. A Harvard graduate, Winnie has written for travel guidebooks, produced independent feature films, programmed for film festivals, and developed eco-tourism projects. Her first novel Dark Chapter was nominated for an Edgar Award and translated into ten languages, followed by the critically acclaimed Complicit. A survivor and advocate against gendered violence, she holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and teaches creative writing and media studies.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.