Charles Yu

Interior Chinatown follows Willis Wu, a Taiwanese American man living in Los Angeles who dreams of becoming the protagonist of his own story. Instead, he finds himself trapped in stereotypical supporting roles on a television police drama, where Asian American actors are routinely cast as background characters, sidekicks, and criminals. Willis hopes to move beyond his recurring role as Generic Asian Man and eventually achieve the status of Kung Fu Guy, the highest position he believes someone like him can reach. Presented in the format of a screenplay, complete with stage directions and scenes, the novel blends satire, drama, and social commentary. As Willis pursues his ambitions, he confronts the limitations imposed by racial stereotypes and the expectations of his family and community. His personal journey becomes an exploration of what it means to be seen, to belong, and to define oneself beyond the roles assigned by others. Through its inventive structure and sharp humour, Yu examines representation, assimilation, generational conflict, and the struggle to claim an authentic identity in a society that often reduces people to familiar caricatures.