by Charles Yu
First published 2020
Willis Wu is stuck in the background of a Chinatown cop show, forever cast as "Generic Asian Man." But he yearns to break free and become "Kung Fu Guy" — the heroic Asian lead. As Willis navigates his family history and the secrets of his neighborhood, he discovers a surprising truth about the show he's on and his own identity. In this absurdist blend of humor, social commentary, and personal reflection, Charles Yu explores the challenges of assimilation and the universal need to find one's place in the world.
Genres: fiction, contemporary, 21st-century, asian-american
Vibes: absurdist, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Chinatown
Period: 21st-century
288 pages · Paperback · Europa Editions