Earlier in the week I addressed some of my favorite Japanese authors now I want to talk about some of my favorite Chinese diaspora author and their books. While writers of the Chinese diaspora have written many great books these are just a few of my favorites.
Iron Widow
In a world where boys sign up to pair with giant mecha robots and fight aliens. Women must deal with the mental strain of these helping them and often die as concubine pilots.
Our protagonist, 18-year-old Zeitan just signed up to be a concubine pilot, she’s after the ace pilot who killed her sister. But when Zeitan takes her revenge in a way no one expected killing him through the psychic link they shared in the mecha, she becomes the Iron Widow one who can sacrifice the boys to the mecha instead of the other way around.
This book is personally on my list, it is one of the few mainstream books that apparently ethically deal with polyamory. I am however told there is sexual violence addressed in the text so I’m going to have to be aware of that.
Written by Xiran Jay Zhao, a Chinese Canadian author focusing on Sci-fi and fantasy throughout their writing. They have an active online media presence where they teach about Chinese culture and media.
Disabled Intimacy
Honestly, anything Alice Wong writes should be on this list. But this is my newest favorite. It deals with intimacy among disabled people and unlearning some of the outdated ideas stigma and shame.
Intimacy among disabled people is often a topic that is avoided or looked at with disgust. Wong has a deft hand when addressing prejudices of people around them and disabled people’s own inner ableist beliefs.
If you like this try Disability Visibility also by Wong.
Six Crimson Cranes
Shiori’anma the only princess of Kiata is feeling trapped in her life. Coming of age and about to be wed for power she is bucking against what she sees as the end of her life as she knows it. While fleeing from her proposal to a northern lord’s son she encounters a dragon.
The dragon ends up showing up in human form to get to know her and help her with her secret. The fact that she has magic, is something that is forbidden in Kiata. As she begins to improve her magic things start to change.
I just started reading this adventure and I’m already hooked I can’t wait to see what happens to Shiori and her dragon friend.
Written by Chinese American Elizabeth Lim, who started out her writing career with fanfics of Sailor Moon and other popular 1990s shows, Lim is also a composer and has worked on video games.
These are just some of my favorites written by writers of the Chinese diaspora. What are some of your favorites? Tell me in the comments below!
Featured photo by Freepik
Rose's Book Garden 