Native Speaker
Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee is a reprint edition published by Penguin on March 1, 1996. This novel introduces readers to Henry Park, a man who has dedicated his life to becoming a true American, yet struggles with feelings of alienation from both his Korean heritage and his adopted country. As he navigates the complexities of his identity, the story delves into the emotional and cultural challenges he faces, particularly in relation to his marriage and the loss of his son.
In Native Speaker, readers will find a narrative that explores themes of cultural alienation, loyalty, and the intricate dynamics of father-son relationships. Henry’s experiences as a natural spy, shaped by his upbringing, lead him into the world of espionage, where he must confront not only external conflicts but also his internal struggles. The novel addresses the ethnic and political tensions present in New York City, offering a poignant examination of identity and connection in a multicultural landscape. With 376 pages, this edition is presented in English and invites readers to reflect on the complexities of belonging and self-discovery.
Official synopsis Publisher
ONE OF THE ATLANTIC’S GREAT AMERICAN NOVELS OF THE PAST 100 YEARS
The debut novel from critically acclaimed and New York Times–bestselling author of On Such a Full Sea and My Year Abroad.
In Native Speaker, author Chang-rae Lee introduces readers to Henry Park. Park has spent his entire life trying to become a true American—a native speaker. But even as the essence of his adopted country continues to elude him, his Korean heritage seems to drift further and further away.
Park’s harsh Korean upbringing has taught him to hide his emotions, to remember everything he learns, and most of all to feel an overwhelming sense of alienation. In other words, it has shaped him as a natural spy.
But the very attributes that help him to excel in his profession put a strain on his marriage to his American wife and stand in the way of his coming to terms with his young son’s death. When he is assigned to spy on a rising Korean-American politician, his very identity is tested, and he must figure out who he is amid not only the conflicts within himself but also within the ethnic and political tensions of the New York City streets.
Native Speaker is a story of cultural alienation. It is about fathers and sons, about the desire to connect with the world rather than stand apart from it, about loyalty and betrayal, about the alien in all of us and who we finally are.
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