Reading Recommendations Based on Summertime Destinations
Juliana Castillo
Juliana Castillo asked Celeste Ng:

Hi Celeste, I'm currently reading your book, and am enjoying it. Why did you chose to use the word "Oriental" instead of Asian, when describing your characters? As an Asian woman, the term "Oriental" offends me, as it seems more appropriate a description for rugs than it is me.

Celeste Ng Hi Juliana,

This is a great question--I'm glad you asked! I also don't care for the term "Oriental," myself. But I chose to use it in the book deliberately for two reasons.

First, it's the term that would have been used at the time, both by the main characters and the people surrounding them. Relatedly, I wanted to startle the reader a little by using a now-outdated term, to remind readers that we were in an earlier and less progressive era, where people weren't seen as "Asian," but "Oriental."

Thank you for asking!
flag

More Answered Questions

Chad Malkamaki
Chad Malkamaki asked Celeste Ng:

Amazing job with Little Fires Everywhere, I've lived in greater Cleveland my whole life, in the city the last ten years, and I'm very close to the age of the characters in the book. You nailed the feeling of growing up in the city and have done one of the best jobs of representing the stores, restaurants, and hangouts. I know you lived in Shaker but why did you choose to set the book in a place you know so well?

Melissa
Melissa asked Celeste Ng:

Dear Ms. Ng, I don't really have a question for you. I just wanted you to know that I just finished your book and I loved it. It has been a long time since a piece has affected me in this way. Thank you for writing it. (I'm including a question mark so that it will take this. Thanks!?)

Brenda
Brenda asked Celeste Ng:

LOVED this book!! Are you working on a new book?

All answers from Celeste Ng…
Celeste Ng
92,319 followers
To ask Celeste Ng a question, please sign up.

About 카지노싸이트 Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the 카지노싸이트 community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions