R.F. Kuang abandons magic to explore Chinese identity.

R.F. Kuang, renowned for her epic fantasies like 'The Poppy War' trilogy and 'Babel,' takes a radical turn with her new novel. 'Taipei Story,' set for release on September 8 by HarperCollins, contains no magical elements but delves into a deeply personal theme: the search for identity in the diaspora.

The story follows Lily Chen, a college freshman born in Guangzhou and raised in the United States. While studying at Yale, she participates in an intensive summer Mandarin language program at National Taiwan University in Taipei. The novel explores her challenging relationships with a roommate, a boy, and, above all, the countless flashcards for learning Chinese.

Kuang tackles what she calls "one of the most enduring illusions of the diaspora": the idea that learning a language can bring you back home. Through Lily's experience, the author investigates what it truly means to be "Chinese enough," staging an inner journey of belonging, imperfect language, and elusive cultural roots. A narrative shift that promises to be just as powerful as her previous works.