I'm interested in people who find themselves in places, either of their choosing or not, and who are forced to decide how best to live there. That feeling of both citizenship and exile, of always being an expatriate - with all the attendant problems and complications and delight. Chang-Rae Lee attendantchoosecitizenship share on social
My parents - my mother, particularly - were very focused on our succeeding. I loved my parents, and was very grateful to them for everything, and I didn't want to disappoint them. Chang-Rae Lee disappointfocusgrateful Change image and share on social
I didn't leave Wall Street because the work was against my nature - I do have a pretty good head for numbers. I left because I had this love for writing. Chang-Rae Lee goodheadleave Change image and share on social
Before I start my work in the morning, I need to have quickly browsed the entire paper, noting articles that I want to read during lunch. Chang-Rae Lee articlebrowseentire Change image and share on social
No place is perfect, but I admire Oahu for its offering of the tropical and the urban, and then its Asian-inflected culture and cuisines. Chang-Rae Lee admireasiancuisine Change image and share on social
We know the point of the 2010 Census is to count us, one by one, to tally every last resident, but the massive project of course has more prying, if limited, interests. Chang-Rae Lee censuscountinterest Change image and share on social
I'm not the sort of writer who can plan out things. Mostly I have no idea where I'm going. Chang-Rae Lee ideaplansort Change image and share on social
I wanted to write about the Korean War, but I had no entry into it that made the kind of sense it needs to make for a novelist. Chang-Rae Lee entrykindkorean Change image and share on social
I think my parents recognised that I'd always wanted to be a writer, and so they didn't think that this was some idle, faddish wish on my part. Chang-Rae Lee faddishidleparent Change image and share on social
We read and remember certain writers because they offer distinctive voices and perspectives, because they've given themselves over completely and passionately to their obsessions while vigorously ignoring everything else. Chang-Rae Lee completelydistinctivehave share on social
