Alexander Chee

Alexander Chee is an acclaimed American essayist, novelist, and editor whose work spans a wide range of topics, from food and cultural criticism to travel narrative. His writing often incorporates elements of his Asian-American heritage and his Korean upbringing. His writing has been described as “lyrical, passionate, and deeply personal,” and has been praised by acclaimed authors such as Viet Thanh Nguyen and Teju Cole.

Chee was born in Philadelphia in 1969, and was raised in New England. His parents had immigrated from South Korea in the 1960s, and Chee often reflects on how their journey shaped his own. His debut novel, Edinburgh, was inspired by his upbringing, and tells the story of a young Korean-American man coming of age in a New England prep school. Through the main character's eyes, the reader gets to explore questions of identity and sexuality.

Edinburgh was a finalist for numerous literary awards, including the Lambda Literary Awards, PEN/Hemingway Award, and the Asian American Literary Award. It also inspired a 6-episode web series for the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, following the story of English professor Alfred Rhys.

In 2001, Chee’s second novel, The Queen of the Night, was published. This historical novel follows the story of opera soprano – Lilliet Berne – from her early years as a French refugee in Berlin, to her later life in Manhattan’s Gilded Age. Through the character of Lilliet, the novel explores themes of female empowerment and the dangers of living outside of societal conventions. The Queen of the Night was praised for its bold storytelling style, complex characters, and vivid period details. It was a finalist in the National Book Awards, and its audiobook version was nominated for an Audie Award.

Chee has also written essays and reviews for numerous publications, including VQR, The New York Times, and Granta. His essays often address topics such as identity and art in contemporary society, as well as meditations on nostalgia and family history. In 2017, he published How To Write an Autobiographical Novel, a collection of essays about his life and writing. The collection won the Lambda Literary Award for Autobiography/Memoir, as well as an Audie Award for non-fiction.

Chee is also a respected teacher, and has taught creative writing at numerous institutions, including Harvard, Wesleyan, and Columbia. He is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame’s MFA program, as well as an on-campus interviewer for the college’s admissions program. In 2019, he was the recipient of the WH Smith Literary Award for his contribution to the literary world.

Overall, Alexander Chee is a prize-winning author and essayist who has published work across a wide range of topics and genres. He is known for his ability to shape his personal experiences into meaningful, provocative works of literature. His work is inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply moving, making him one of the most significant authors of our time.