The Accidental Asian: Notes of a Native Speaker

"The Accidental Asian" is a series of autobiographical essays by Eric Liu, a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. The book focuses on the topic of Asian-American identity. Issues include the following: being an "ABC" (American-born Chinese), being the son of an immigrant, defining "Chineseness," the birth of "[t]he Asian-American identity," and the fallout from the "Asian money" political scandals of the 1990s. More personal topics include an account of his own father's battle against kidney disease.Liu writes a very readable prose. Many of his ideas are provocative, and could, I imagine, spark some lively debate. I was intrigued by the parallels he drew between Asian-American experience and that of other minority groups (Jews, gays and lesbians, Hispanics), and also by his distinction between biculturalism and omniculturalism. Definitely useful reading for the Tiger Woods millennium. For a fascinating companion text, try "Blood, Bread, and Poetry," by Adrienne Rich, or "The Fire Next Time," by James Baldwin.

This book is a fast read, and it sort of sneaks up on you. There is a quiet force to the questions Liu asks about race, about where Asian Americans fit into the big picture of identity. Since he's a skeptic about identity politics, some people might say he's pro-assimilation, but that's not quite right. He constantly wrestles with what "becoming American" does to him and others in the second generation, and by being tough on himself he makes you think harder about your own preconceived ideas. If you're looking for fiery arguments or sharp positions you won't be satisfied -- even I wished he didn't spend so much time delicately exploring middle ground. Also, it's defnitely not a comprehensive book about the Asian American experience. But I think lots of Asian Americans and people of other backgrounds too can find something here to relate to and chew on. He writes nicely, and he has a way of mixing storytelling and social commentary that draws you in.

I, too, am Chinese American. And like Mr. Liu, I, too, make my living as an author. Yet I've never been able to cogently put into words all my feelings -- and ambivalence -- about being an American-born Chinese as splendidly as Mr. Liu has done. Page after page, while reading this book, I would think: "My god, this is EXACTLY what I've thought. This is exactly what I've experienced!" It's as though I was reading about a male version of myself. It was both thrilling and immensely reassuring to know that I am not the only Asian American who is proud and happy to be an American, yet at the same time feels confused about what exactly "Chinese-ness" means. It is also refreshing to hear from another ABC who has experienced a relatively sunny American childhood and has no need to go through life with a chip on his shoulder -- yet who knows that that sunny American experience can also turn on a dime into something frightening and threatening.This was a touching book, full of grace and wisdom, and it held great personal significance for me. Thank, you, Mr. Liu.

I certainly do not agree with all of Liu's opinions, but I would recommend this book to any person who is going through that unique experience which is Asian America. I also recommend this book to non-Asians who have an earnest interest in what being Asian in American can entail.

This is a well written autobiography/ social commentary. It was especially interesting to me,a parent of a child adopted from Korea, to read his comments about the current China adoption situation. Liu has a very smooth style... his commentary is thoughtful and timely.