The Foreign Student

Last updated

The Foreign Student
The Foreign Student (Choi novel).jpg
Author Susan Choi
PublisherHarperCollins
Publication date
September 1, 1998
Pages336 pp.
ISBN 0-06-019149-X

The Foreign Student is the first novel by Asian-American author Susan Choi, published in 1998.

Contents

Plot

In 1955, 25-year-old Chang (“Chuck”) Ahn arrives at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee from Korea after the Korean War ends. He meets 28-year-old Katherine Monroe, who lives year-round in her family's summer home in Sewanee. Chuck and Katherine become friends.

Katherine is in an ill-defined relationship with Charles Addison, an English professor at the college and her father's former roommate. Katherine and Charles began sleeping together when Katherine was only fourteen, and the discovery of their relationship led to Katherine's mother refusing to speak to her anymore, a resolve she keeps up throughout Katherine's adulthood.

During his time in college, Chuck remembers his experience during the Korean War, where he worked as a translator for the American forces.

Charles unexpectedly proposes to Katherine, who accepts. When he hears news of their engagement, Chuck leaves Sewanee for Chicago to take a summer job in a book bindery that the dean of The University of the South arranges for him. After being repeatedly and falsely accused of stealing money, he steals $100 and boards a train to New Orleans, where Katherine is staying with her dying mother in her childhood home.

Katherine breaks up with Charles and goes with Chuck and her mother to a house on the Gulf Coast. Chuck returns to Sewanee and promises to wait for Katherine while she cares for her mother. Chuck is expelled from school for his theft, but given a job at the school and the chance to work off his debt.

Reception

Kirkus Reviews called the book, "An uneven first novel that elegantly details the love story of two young people.” [1] A review by Publishers Weekly said, "Love develops between two troubled people from vastly different worlds in this impressive debut.” [2] The Foreign Student won the Asian American Literary Award for Fiction. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Freaky Friday</i> Comedic childrens novel (1972)

Freaky Friday is a comedic children's novel written by Mary Rodgers, first published by Harper & Row in 1972. It has been adapted for several films, including versions in 1976, 1995, 2003, 2018 and 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Choi</span> American novelist (born 1969)

Susan Choi is an American novelist.

<i>The Constant Princess</i> 2005 historical novel by Philippa Gregory

The Constant Princess is a historical fiction novel by Philippa Gregory, published in 2005. The novel depicts a highly fictionalized version of the life of Catherine of Aragon and her rise to power in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gail Godwin</span> Novelist, short story writer (born 1937)

Gail Godwin is an American novelist and short story writer. Godwin has written 14 novels, two short story collections, three non-fiction books, and ten libretti. Her primary literary accomplishments are her novels, which have included five best-sellers and three finalists for the National Book Award. Most of her books are realistic fiction novels that follow a character's psychological and intellectual development, often based on themes taken from Godwin's own life.

<i>The Long Road Home</i> (novel) 1998 novel by Danielle Steel

The Long Road Home is a 1998 romance novel written by Danielle Steel. The book was released to commercial success, despite receiving unfavorable critical reviews. It is Steel's 42nd novel.

<i>Candyfloss</i> (novel) 2006 novel by Jacqueline Wilson

Candyfloss is a novel written by Jacqueline Wilson and illustrated by Nick Sharratt. It was first published in 2006 by Doubleday.

Lynn Joseph is an author of children's books and an American lawyer. Her novella The Color of My Words won an Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

<i>Secrecy</i> (book) 1997 novel by Belva Plain

Secrecy is a 1997 novel and New York Times bestseller by Belva Plain. It tells the story of Charlotte, a little girl from the Dawes family whose adolescence life was shattered after she was raped by Ted, her uncle's stepson.

<i>Waiting for Normal</i> 2009 young adult novel by Leslie Connor

Waiting for Normal is a young adult novel by Leslie Connor, published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 17, 2009.

<i>Out of My Mind</i> (novel) 2010 novel by Sharon Draper

Out of My Mind is a 2010 novel by Sharon M. Draper, a New York Times bestselling author. The cover illustration of the fifth edition is by Daniel Chang, and the cover photography is by Cyril Bruneau/Jupiter Images. A reading group guide is enclosed. The book is recommended for ages 10-14 and for grades 5–8. The story was written in first person, featuring Melody Brooks, a girl with cerebral palsy.

<i>In the Darkroom</i> 2016 book by Susan Faludi

In the Darkroom is a memoir by Susan Faludi that was first published on June 14, 2016. The memoir centers on the life of Faludi's father, who came out as transgender and underwent sex reassignment surgery at the age of 76. It won the 2016 Kirkus Prize for nonfiction and was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ying Chang Compestine</span> American writer

Ying Chang Compestine is a Chinese American author, speaker, television host and chef. She has written over twenty-seven books including Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (novel), based on her life growing up during the Chinese Cultural Revolution., and a middle grade novel, Morning Sun in Wuhan, set in Wuhan, China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary H.K. Choi</span> American author and journalist

Mary H.K. Choi is a Korean American author, editor, television and print journalist. She is the author of the young adult novels Emergency Contact (2018) and Permanent Record (2019). She is the culture correspondent on Vice News Tonight on HBO and was previously a columnist at Wired and Allure magazines as well as a freelance writer.

<i>Trust Exercise</i> 2019 novel by Susan Choi

Trust Exercise is a 2019 coming-of-age novel by the American author Susan Choi, published by Henry Holt and Company.

Emma Mills is an American writer of young adult romance novels, scientist, and YouTuber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaitlyn Greenidge</span> American writer

Kaitlyn Greenidge is an American writer. She received a 2017 Whiting Award for Fiction for her debut novel, We Love You, Charlie Freeman. Her second book is a historical novel called Libertie (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellen Oh</span> American author

Ellen Oh is a Korean-American author, and founding member and CEO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books. She is the author of young adult and middle grade novels including the Prophecy trilogy, also known as the Dragon King Chronicles, a series of fantasy, young adult novels based on Korean folklore.

<i>Shuggie Bain</i> 2020 novel by Douglas Stuart

Shuggie Bain is the debut novel by Scottish-American writer Douglas Stuart, published in 2020. It tells the story of the youngest of three children, Shuggie, growing up with his alcoholic mother Agnes in 1980s post-industrial working-class Glasgow, Scotland.

<i>Moonflower Murders</i> Novel by Anthony Horowitz

Moonflower Murders is a 2020 mystery novel by British author Anthony Horowitz and the second novel in the Susan Ryeland series. The story focuses on the disappearance of a hotel employee and uses a story within a story format.

<i>Holding Pattern</i> (novel) Novel by Jenny Xie

Holding Pattern is a 2023 debut novel written by Jenny Xie. The novel explores themes of immigration, belonging, mother-daughter relationships, and the diverse ways people learn to support one another.

References

  1. "The Foreign Student". Kirkus Reviews . July 1, 1998. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  2. "The Foreign Student". Publishers Weekly . August 31, 1998. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  3. "Susan Choi". National Book Foundation . Retrieved December 18, 2020.

Further reading