BookDragon Books for the Diverse Reader

Charlie Chan Is Dead: An Anthology of Contemporary Asian American Fiction edited by Jessica Hagedorn [in What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature]

Charlie Chan Is DeadThis anthology, which includes both short stories and excerpts from larger works, celebrates the diversity of Asian American literature, from the many literary styles to the various ethnic backgrounds, ages and beliefs of the 48 writers included in this collection.

Created by a white man named Earl Derr Biggers in 1925, Charlie Chan was one of the ultimate Asian stereotypes, known for his obsequious manner and broken English versions of fortune-cookie pop psychology. The diverse, individual, invincible Asian American voices in this collection prove that such cartoonish Asian Americans never existed in reality.

A contemporary collection picking up where Aiiieeeee! left off. And then continues on with Charlie Chan Is Dead 2, too!

Reviews: “Asian American Titles,” What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature, Gale Research, 1997

“Necessary Titles for the APA Heritage Bookshelf,” aMagazine: Inside Asian America, April/May 2001

Readers: Young Adult, Adult

Published: 1993

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