Native Speaker

Native Speaker (1995) is Chang-Rae Lee’s first novel. In Native Speaker, he creates a man named Henry Park who tries to assimilate into American society and become a “native speaker.”

Plot summary

Henry is the quintessential Korean-American, yet much of his Korean heritage resonates through his voice, personality, and beliefs. His Korean upbringing still shows up in his adult life. Like many American immigrants trying to find an identity in a foreign land, Henry is an “…emotional alien…stranger [and] follower…” who constantly feels isolated from the country in which he lives and also the country from which he came. Even though he is almost completely Americanized, Henry Park has trouble adapting to the U.S. There are many challenges that come with fitting in to American life because of the difference in culture, beliefs, behavior, and the desire to still hold on to one’s heritage.

Awards and nominations

PEN/Hemingway Award for first best novel.
Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers Award
American Book Award
QPB New Visions Award
Oregon Book Award
ALA Notable Book

Sources

[http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides_N/native_speaker1.asp Reading Guide]
[http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781573225311,00.html?breadcrumbList=%7Bnative+speaker%7D&bcPath=c590611%2D00000000%23%23%2D1%23%23%2D1%7E%7Eq6e617469766520737065616b6572&searchProfile=US-590611-global&strSrchSql=native+speaker Berkley Books]