Cover From Han Kang and her Nobel Prize to R. F. Kuang and her movie adaptations, these female authors of Asian descent have a lot to celebrate in 2024 (Photo: Getty Images / Instagram / @kuangrf)
From Han Kang and her Nobel Prize to R. F. Kuang and her movie adaptations, these female authors of Asian descent have a lot to celebrate in 2024 (Photo: Getty Images / Instagram / @kuangrf)
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Asian women have historically been underrepresented in mainstream literature. Authors Han Kang, R. F. Kuang, Asako Yuzuki and more are among the few names challenging the industry in 2024
Recent years have seen a significant rise in the visibility of Asian female authors in the literary world.
From Min Jin Lee, who brought us Pachinko, to Celeste Ng, whose Little Fires Everywhere was a huge critical and popular success, authors have fought their way through discrimination to bring the world a richer understanding of the Asian experience, something that has been historically underrepresented in mainstream literature.
In 2024, there were a few names who, by their talent and books, have made the world dream, reflect, and question the society we live in. From Han Kang to RF Kuang, here are the female authors of Asian descent who continue the discussion on diversity and inclusion in literature.
You might also like: How author Min Jin Lee is taking a stand against racism
South Korean author Han Kang wins the Nobel Prize in Literature
Above South Korean author Han Kang wins the Nobel Prize in Literature (Photo: Getty Images)
Above South Korean author Han Kang is best known for her novel “The Vegetarian”
South Korean author Han Kang wins the Nobel Prize in Literature (Photo: Getty Images)
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Overnight, on October 10, 2024, Gwangju-born novelist Han Kang became the pride of South Korea when she was named this year’s Nobel Prize Literature Laureate for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”, according to the Nobel Prize committee.
The former blacklisted author is best known for her surreal novel, The Vegetarian (2007), a darkly allegorical, Kafka-esque novel exploring one woman’s struggle to break free from societal, cultural and psychological violence.
Cult Japanese bestseller ‘Butter’ by Asako Yuzuki is translated to English
Above Asako Yuzuki at the Off the Shelf Festival of Words (Photo: Instagram / @offtheshelffestival)
Asako Yuzuki at the Off the Shelf Festival of Words (Photo: Instagram / @offtheshelffestival)
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Originally published in 2017, Butter by Asako Yuzuki made waves in Japan for its storyline, but also for the bold theme it was exploring.
The book—which is based on the real-life case of the “Konkatsu Killer” in which a conwoman and talented home cook named Kanae Kijima was convicted of poisoning three of her male lovers—explores the tension between food culture and gender stereotypes.
Earlier this year, it became the author’s first book translated into English.
R. F. Kuang signs movie and TV deals following the success of ‘Yellow Face’ and ‘Babel’
Above R. F. Kuang signs a TV deal following the success of “Yellow Face” (Photo: Instagram / @kuangrf)
Above R. F. Kuang signs movie deal following the success of “Babel” (Photo: Instagram / @kuangrf)
R. F. Kuang signs a TV deal following the success of “Yellow Face” (Photo: Instagram / @kuangrf)
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R.F. Kuang, born Rebecca Kuang, has made waves in the literary world for a while now. From her best-selling fantasy Babel (2022) toThe Poppy War trilogy and her recent Time’s 100 Must-Read Book of 2023, Yellow Face, she has shown how to explore intersectionality and post-colonial legacies in both fiction and fantasy.
Earlier this year, the author secured not one, but two screen adaptions for her books. Independent studio wiip has optioned Babel for television/film adaptation, with Temple Hill Entertainment—which produced Twilight—producing. Meanwhile, Lionsgate Television has optioned Yellowface, with plans to develop it as a scripted series.
V. V. Ganeshananthan wins Women’s Prize For Fiction
Above V. V. Ganeshanthan, author of “Brotherless Night”, winner of the Women's Prize For Fiction 2024, and Naomi Klein, author of “Doppelgänger”, winner of the Women’s Prize For Non-Fiction 2024 (Photo: Getty Images)
V. V. Ganeshanthan, author of “Brotherless Night”, winner of the Women's Prize For Fiction 2024, and Naomi Klein, author of “Doppelgänger”, winner of the Women’s Prize For Non-Fiction 2024 (Photo: Getty Images)
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The winners of the prestigious Women’s Prize For Fiction were announced in London earlier this year.
It was awarded to American author V. V. Ganeshananthan, who is of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, for her second novel Brotherless Night (2023), a tale of a young woman whose life was disrupted by the Sri Lankan civil war. “Brotherless Night is a brilliant, compelling and deeply moving novel that bears witness to the intimate and epic-scale tragedies of the Sri Lankan civil war,” said Monica Ali, chair of judges for the Women’s Prize For Fiction.
Yiyun Li is one of the judges for the Booker Prize 2024
Above Yiyun Li is one of the judges for the Booker Prize 2024 (Photo: courtesy of the Booker Prize 2024)
Yiyun Li is one of the judges for the Booker Prize 2024 (Photo: courtesy of the Booker Prize 2024)
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Chinese-American professor and author, Yiyun Li has been selected as one of the judges for the Booker Prize 2024. It's an exciting opportunity for the industry veteran, as the history of the Booker Prize and its outreach make it one of the most internationally-recognised awards, she says to the academy.
Li started her career writing about Chinese lives observed through a long-distance telescope—with award-winning A Thousand Years Of Good Prayers (2005) for example—before embracing the first person. Today, she has published 11 books, and her novels and short stories have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
