RF Kuang returns with 'Taipei Story,' a novel about identity and belonging.

Rebecca F. Kuang, one of the most prolific and recognized voices of her generation, returns to bookstores with 'Taipei Story.' Following the success of 'Yellowface,' the author once again takes aim at the Western publishing and academic establishment, this time focusing on a narrative that feels more personal.

The novel follows Lily Chen, a Yale student who participates in an intensive Chinese language course in Taipei over the summer. The ambitious and determined protagonist must contend with strict rules, such as the prohibition of speaking any language other than Chinese within the department, under penalty of expulsion from the program.

'Taipei Story' explores the complex dynamics of identity, subjectivity, and belonging through Lily's experience in the Taiwanese capital. Kuang continues her critical analysis of the mechanisms that crystallize and capitalize on immigrant experiences, maintaining the depth and sharpness that characterize her literary work.