A first-of-its-kind essay anthology that showcases the brightest East and Southeast Asian voices in Britain today, on a broad range of subjects, edited by Helena Lee, Acting Deputy Editor at Harper's Bazaar.
'A dazzling and joyous celebration' i-D
'Dazzling . . . East Side Voices is a thoughtful, painful reminder of the grand narratives that get buried under belittling stereotypes' Bidisha, Observer
In this bold, first-of-its kind collection, East Side Voices invites us to explore a dazzling spectrum of experience from the East and Southeast Asian diaspora living in Britain today.
Showcasing original essays and poetry from well-known celebrities, prize-winning literary stars and exciting new writers, East Side Voices takes us many places: from the frontlines of the NHS in the midst of the Covid pandemic, to the set of a Harry Potter film, from a bustling London restaurant to a spirit festival in Myanmar. In the process we navigate the legacies of family history, racial identity, assimilation and difference.
Edited by Helena Lee, founder of the East Side Voices cultural salon and Acting Deputy Editor of Harper's Bazaar. Featuring writing from: Romalyn Ante, Tash Aw, June Bellebono, Gemma Chan, Mary Jean Chan, Catherine Cho, Tuyen Do, Will Harris, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Claire Kohda, Katie Leung, Amy Poon, Naomi Shimada, Anna Sulan Masing, Sharlene Teo, Zing Tsjeng and Andrew Wong.
'Invaluable and delightful' Esquire
Dazzling... The strength of this slim collection is in its nuance... East Side Voices is a thoughtful, painful reminder of the grand narratives that get buried under belittling stereotypes, of how progress can also regress and how self-actualisation, self-discovery and personal excellence still grate against the perceptions of strangers. - Observer
In East Side Voices, the first anthology of its kind, writers of East and Southeast Asian descent and diaspora in the UK reflect on identity, community and family. Coming after an especially traumatic few years for ESEA communities, East Side Voices is a dazzling and joyous celebration. - i-D
A wonderful book - so timely and much needed. I loved the collection and I hope everyone will read it.
This collection is illuminating, funny, sad, and reveals aspects of Britain that for too long have not been addressed. This is the first but hopefully not the last assemblage of Asian and Southeast Asian writers discussing their experiences of life in Britain. It is an important book and a cracking read. - Herald
Varied and thought-provoking... Invaluable and delightful - Esquire
A strong, compelling, and quietly beautiful collection of stories that have gone untold for too long, from voices that have too often been sidelined from the artistic mainstream.
(An) illuminating essay collection...Contributions to the collection are wide-ranging in form and scope but always affecting. - New Statesman
A terrific read. It's going to be very important in all the debates around the ever-changing political and cultural life in this country.