Ching-In Chen Books

Ching-In Chen's work delves into the intricate intersections of identity, community, and intimate violence, pushing the boundaries of poetic form. Their writing is characterized by experimental approaches to language, seeking to deconstruct established narratives and forge new pathways for expression. Chen's poetry often explores queer and Asian American experiences, emphasizing themes of collective memory and transformation. A significant aspect of their contribution lies in their commitment to activism and the powerful synergy between art and social justice.

Heart's Traffic
120 pages
5 hours of reading
4.5(84)Add rating
This novel-in-poems chronicles the life of Xiaomei, an immigrant girl haunted by the death of her best friend. Told through a kaleidoscopic braid of stories, letters, and riddles, this stunning debut collection follows Xiaomei's life as she grows into her sexuality and searches for a way to deal with her complicated histories.At times, meditation, celebration, investigation, and elegy, this is a book about personal transformation within the context of a family forced to make do—a Makeshift Family—and how one might create new language to name the New World.

Heart's Traffic