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At Mochi Magazine, we believe that every word we write adds to a collective definition of what it means to be Asian American. To be Asian American is ultimately undefinable, but we find that the many lived experiences documented in memoirs give us not only an understanding of others but also comfort through our shared experiences.
For those looking to learn from real-life experiences, engage in empathy, and gain insight into diverse perspectives, here are memoirs you can check out, grouped by theme.
“The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts”
Maxine Hong Kingston
1976
A classic that is often used as a textbook in Asian American focused classes, “The Woman Warrior” is not a straightforward memoir, but rather an experimental mix of genres and perspectives. Kingston shares her story but also the story of Asian American women through five short stories that recount a mix of Chinese folktales and moments from her mother’s life to illustrate the difficulty of finding one’s personal voice as the child of immigrants, an Asian American, a daughter, and a woman.
“Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self”
Alex Tizon
2013
Blending memoir with cultural critique, Tizon confronts the shame and invisibility that shaped his experience as an Asian American man. Arriving in the U.S. from the Philippines as a child, Tizon internalized a world that deemed him unworthy because of his face, height, and race. Through sharp, personal storytelling and unflinching critique, he traces his journey from…
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