Reading The Family Chao with author Lucy Tan (Part 2)

Caitlin is back to talk with one of her favorite authors, Lucy Tan, for part 2 of last week's conversation. Lucy is the author of What We Were Promised, a story about a wealthy Chinese family, before and after they were wealthy, and the life of their housekeeper, all set in Shanghai.

We talk about the people and lessons Lucy wrote about in her Acknowledgements, and what she's like as a reader.

Then we discuss Part Two of The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang. Lucy chose this book for us to read together because she's been a longtime admirer of Chang's writing. The Family Chao is about a Chinese American family of three boys, their family restaurant, and the aftermath of their father's suspected murder.

We talk about the big plot twist in this mystery, favorite passages, who decides what is authentic, and why it's so hard to move on.

We finish with a song from the pod's fave musician, Kishi Bashi (listen to our episode all about Kishi here!). The Ballad of Mr. Steak felt like a fitting homage to Leo Chao.

Books/authors mentioned in the show:

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel

Chloe Benjamin

Intro/outro music by lesfm.

Learn more and support the show:

**Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! These mean more than you may know for supporting the show!**

Sign up for our free newsletter

Join our Patreon community

Follow us on IG

Show website