Vaguely reflections the debut novel of author yi shun lai chronicles a few months in the life of a floundering young woman named marty. The misadventures of marty wu, she discovered the hidden pressures of publishing as a minority. As it turns out, when it comes to solving the problem of ourselves, we have very deep pockets and solving herself is exactly what marty, the smart but hapless narrator of yi shun lais wonderful new novel, not a selfhelp book. The misadventures of marty wu marty wu, compulsive reader of advice manuals, would love to come across as a poised young advertising professional. The misadventures of marty wu a novel by yi shun lai. Id have said it was impossible until i read this book. The two writers will be discussing lais new novel, not a selfhelp book. When marty selfimmolates in las vegas nearly midway through the story, i was hooked. A late20something mess in spiraling freefall, marty reluctantly allows. The misadventures of marty wu shade mountain press debuted at no.
Marty wu is obsessed with selfhelp books, mostly because she feels that she needs all the help she can get dealing with her critical mother and an advertising job that she hates. The misadventures of marty wu is available at booksellers everywhere. The misadventures of marty wu motherly praise and motherly criticism. Marty wu, compulsive reader of advice manuals, is easily flustered.
To anyone looking for a great quick and fulfilling read, the perfect vacation book this summer, do not hesitate to pick up not a selfhelp book. Both protagonists are about the same age and are faced with similar issues but while not working is fragmented in structure and doesnt really come to a clear resolution, not a selfhelp book is more linear and there are a number. Nov 02, 2015 a late20something mess in spiraling freefall, marty reluctantly allows her mothers acerbic net to catch and redeposit her in taiwan for a summer of familial intrigue, pseudoredemption, and teosl. The misadventures of marty wu shade mountain press. The novel was written in the form of a diary from the main characters perspective. The misadventures of marty wu, was released by shade mountain press, she and i chatted a bit about the book, her writing process, and a topic ive beaten into the ground by now, our shared fascination with cheezit crackers. How to sell books with kindness the writer magazine. Mar 26, 2017 marty wu is obsessed with self help books, mostly because she feels that she needs all the help she can get dealing with her critical mother and an advertising job that she hates. She will be teaching a memoir writing workshop at the library on tuesday, july 12th at 7pm.
The misadventures of marty wu yi shun lai 2016 we are here. Not a self help book the misadventures of marty wu online pdf ebook. A friend gave me the happiness project to read during my recovery. At the age of 28 shes heading down and i do mean down a career path in advertising that she doesnt want. Apr 24, 2019 join author yi shun lai for a community reading from her novel, not a selfhelp book. The misadventures of marty wu paperback coronavirus alert if youre ordering a book that has not yet released, please create a separate order for just that preorder. The misadventures of marty wu marty wu, compulsive reader of advice manuals, ricochets between a stressful job in new york and the warmth of extended family in taiwan. In not a selfhelp book, a novel that is both harrowing and incredibly funny, yi shun lai explores the effects of an especially harsh and judgmental mother on the longsuffering heroine, marty wu. The misadventures of marty wu, published by shade mountain press. The misadventures of marty wu, was a semifinalist for the thurber prize for american humor. May 09, 2016 as it turns out, when it comes to solving the problem of ourselves, we have very deep pockets and solving herself is exactly what marty, the smart but hapless narrator of yi shun lais wonderful new novel, not a selfhelp book. Her dream is to open a boutique costuming shop in queens, preferably within walking distance of her apartment, but of course that requires money. Participants will engage in writing exercises that will deepen their understanding of memoir and personal essay, and learn how to ultimately craft their own work.
Marty engages with, and shares insightful reflections about, many other characters not just her mother but also friends, love interests, colleagues, and other family members, giving the novel. Yi shun is currently on a book tour for her newly released debut fiction title, not a selfhelp book. Her dream of owning a little costume shop is out of reach. Join author yi shun lai for a community reading from her novel, not a selfhelp book. The misadventures of marty wu makes an interesting comparison to not working by lisa owens. Shade mountains mission is to publish literature by women, especially women of color, women with disabilities, women from workingclass backgrounds, and lesbianbisexual. The misadventures of marty wu 1 results found july 20, 2016 the misadventures of asian americans. Semifinalist, 2017 thurber prize for american humor. If youre looking for a light read about a modern woman navigating two worlds and an abusive mother, yi shun lais book is for you. The misadventures of marty wu, follows a young taiwanese american woman coming to terms with her dreams, and more so, her mother. By turns humorous and harrowing, not a selfhelp book displays yi shun lai s astute observations of family conflict and cultural complexities. Her dream is to open a boutique costuming shop in queens, preferably within walking distance of her. A late20something mess in spiraling freefall, marty reluctantly allows her mothers acerbic net to catch and redeposit her in taiwan for a summer of familial intrigue, pseudoredemption, and teosl. From new york to taiwan and back again, marty wu will make you laugh, make you cringe, and make you hope for the best even when it seems impossible.
Author and editor yi shun lai will talk about your bookshelvesyes, yours. The misadventures of marty wu by yi shun lai my rating. Miriam gershow, author of the local news by turns humorous and harrowing, not a selfhelp book displays yi shun lai s astute observations of family conflict and cultural complexities. Not a selfhelp book the misadventures of marty wu book. A few days before yi shun lais debut novel, not a selfhelp book. With a job she longs to quit and a formidable mother whos impossible to please, she ricochets between the stress of new york and the warmth of extended family in taiwan. The book is written as diary entries as marty learns from several selfhelp books humorously quoted as publisher, price, and location and if the book is on sale. What disaster relief taught me about weathering coronavirus. Im a writer and editor, and have been for the entirety of my professional life. Vanessa garcia, white light a young cubanamerican artist distills her grief, rage, and. So i have built you a handy progressive chart of black humor for reference purposes. Exploring family dynamics, mental health, millennial unmooring, cultural difference, and generational misunderstandings, not a selfhelp book gives voice to a generation of immigrants caught amidst multiple ways of being in the world. Not a self help book misadventures of marty wu archives.
In marty s first entry, we are introduced to her obsession with selfhelp books, her mothers. The misadventures of marty wu by yi shun lai shade mountain press, 2016, 204 pages buy the book. The misadventures of marty wu, was coming out in may 2016. The misadventures of marty wu is a smarter chicklit story that is more slice of life than looking for a happilyeverafter ending. The misadventures of marty wu, seems on a quest to do. When lai set out to find a publisher for her novel not a selfhelp book. I started reading not a self help book and found marty wu a frustrating protag at the books start, but compelling enough that i couldnt put yi shun lais first fulllength book down. For many women, these can be among the most gratifying and most wounding things in the world, and they have the power to shape the recipients livesfor good or illfar into the future. The books are the happiness project by gretchen rubin and not a self help book. Join us for a reading, signing, and conversation between debut novelist yi shun lai and wbezs alexandra salomon.
Margrittes perfectly rendered image of a pipe represents a real pipe, but it does not cause cancer, the. In martys first entry, we are introduced to her obsession with selfhelp books, her mothers formidable and ubiquitous presence and her pipe dream of opening a. The misadventures of marty wu, is in its fourth printing. By diarys end, marty is still learning who she is and what she wants to do in life. The misadventures of asian americans asian american. Aug 11, 2016 yi shun is currently on a book tour for her newly released debut fiction title, not a selfhelp book. Not a self help book misadventures of marty wu archives pank. The thirtysix stories in this anthology, all by women authors, center around female characters who follow their own paths and tell the powersthatbe what they dont want to hear.
The misadventures of marty wu, on friday, april 26, 2019 at tempe changing hands 6428 s mcclintock dr, tempe, az 85283 at 6. The misadventures of marty wu written by yi shun lai is a story concerning a young taiwaneseamerican woman, living in manhattan, seeking her place in the world through a variety of selfhelp books. Jul 20, 2016 my debut novel, the misadventures of sulliver pong, was published in november 2015, and i soon discovered that yishuns own debut, entitled not a selfhelp book. Her column on writing and publishing, from the front lines, appears monthly in the writer magazine. Vanessa garcia, white light a young cubanamerican artist distills her grief, rage, and love onto the canvas. Conversely, she took a hard look at her own bookshelves and has since been on a quest to read more diversely. The misadventures of marty wu by yi shun lai grab the lapels. May 12, 2016 although epistolary novels are sometimes criticized for the restraints posed by their limited point of view, not a self help book never feels closed in. The misadventures of marty wu, by yi shun lai shade mountain press, 2016 218 pp. The misadventures of marty wu by yi shun lai, follows marty, our female protagonist, through her jobs, relations, and career dreams. Misadventures of marty wu by yi shun lai mining the comedic poten tial of the 1. Marty wu, compulsive reader of advice manuals, would love to come across as a poised young advertising professional. Nov 09, 2016 when lai set out to find a publisher for her novel not a selfhelp book.
My debut novel, the misadventures of sulliver pong, was published in november 2015, and i soon discovered that yishuns own debut, entitled not a selfhelp book. Instead she trips over her own feet and blurts out inappropriate comments. My name is yi shun lai say yeeshun for my first name. Written in a diary style, marty wu guides us through the ups and downs of her life. Miriam gershow, author of the local news by turns humorous and harrowing, not a selfhelp book displays yi shun lais astute observations of family conflict and cultural complexities. The misadventures of marty wu, was a semifinalist for 2017s thurber prize in american humor. The misadventures of marty wu by yi shun lai paperback, 204 pages. Creative heroine, family expectations this book has. The misadventures of asian americans asian american writers. Not a selfhelp book the misadventures of marty wu date. I write, teach, and speak regularly on communication across the board, from business to literature.