My Year Abroad

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From the award-winning author of Native Speaker and On Such a Full Sea comes an exuberant, provocative story about a young American's life transformed by an unusual Asian adventure and the human capacities for pleasure, pain, and connection. Tiller, an average college student with a good heart but minimal aspirations, finds himself under the wing of Pong Lou, a larger-than-life Chinese American entrepreneur who sees potential in Tiller beyond his bored exterior. Their boisterous trip across Asia catapults Tiller from an ordinary young man to a talented protégé, leading him through a series of extreme, eye-opening experiences that reshape his worldview, his relationship with Pong, and his understanding of himself. In "precise, elliptical prose," the narrative alternates between Tiller's mind-boggling year with Pong and the emotionally complex domestic life that follows, as he processes his transformative experiences abroad and their implications for his future. Rich with commentary on Western attitudes, Eastern stereotypes, capitalism, global trade, mental health, and mentorship, the story explores the surprising effects of cultural immersion on both a young American in Asia and a Chinese man in America. Tinged with humor and darkness, and filled with suspense and surprises, this novel is a unique exploration of identity and connection that will resonate with readers for years to come.