Summary
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu presents its narrative as a screenplay. This format encapsulates the life of Willis Wu, who experiences life as if he is part of an ongoing Hollywood production. The setting is Golden Palace, a Chinese restaurant, which provides the backdrop for the cop show Black and White. This setting critiques Hollywood's habit of casting Asian characters in restrictive roles such as "Generic Asian Man." Yu explores themes of identity, aspiration, and self-worth. Willis aims to transcend his stereotypical roles and aspires to achieve the status of "Kung Fu Guy."
Plot
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu follows Willis Wu, an Asian American actor limited to stereotypical roles on the set of the cop show Black and White. The story, depicted in screenplay format, alternates between Willis's internal struggles and his pursuit of the "Kung Fu Guy" role. He lives above the Golden Palace restaurant in Los Angeles's Chinatown, where others also face typecasting constraints.
His parents had roles in Hollywood: his father as the "Mysterious Kung Fu Master" and his mother as the "Asiatic Seductress." Now, they face unfulfilled aspirations. His brother, known as Older Brother, once became the "Kung Fu Guy" but mysteriously disappeared, creating a subplot that reflects the family's real-life challenges.
Willis briefly escapes typecasting as a "Special Guest Star," gaining temporary success and a relationship with actress Karen Lee. However, the scripted death of his character prompts him to confront his career's repetitive cycle.
The narrative peaks in a surreal courtroom scene. Willis is tried for his supposed failures. Older Brother's character returns and challenges the stereotypes confining their community. Through direct dialogue, Willis reclaims his story and rejects the imposed roles.
Willis metaphorically "dies," shedding his past identity. He turns towards authenticity and family, moving away from Hollywood's unrealistic allure, and envisions a future free from rigid stereotypes.
Characters
Willis Wu: Willis Wu is the central character, navigating Hollywood as an Asian American actor often cast in stereotypical roles. He portrays "Background Oriental Male" and aspires to become "Kung Fu Guy," reflecting his internal conflict and search for identity beyond typecasting.
Older Brother: Older Brother, once the iconic "Kung Fu Guy," abruptly disappears. This event highlights the impermanence of fame and the pressure on Asian Americans seeking recognition and authenticity.
Ming-Chen Wu and Dorothy: Willis's parents, immigrants from Taiwan, face generational struggles against typecasting and racism. Ming-Chen, formerly a "Kung Fu Master," and Dorothy, known for roles like "Asiatic Seductress," encounter declining opportunities in an industry focused on youth.
Karen Lee: Karen Lee, an actress on the rise, adds depth to the narrative by illustrating the unique challenges Asian women face in Hollywood. Her career emphasizes the broader gender and racial disparities.
Turner and Green: As characters in the cop show Black and White, Turner and Green reflect prevailing racial hierarchies in Hollywood, contrasting with sidelined actors like Willis.
Phoebe: Phoebe, the daughter of Willis and Karen, represents hope for a shift toward authentic and diverse identities, free from entrenched stereotypes.
Hollywood’s Asian American stereotypes
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu critiques stereotypes of Asian Americans in Hollywood. Using a screenplay format, Yu examines roles available to Asian actors. Willis Wu, an actor stuck as "Generic Asian Man" in the show Black and White, symbolizes industry limitations based on race.
Willis Wu aspires to be "Kung Fu Guy," a role viewed as the ultimate achievement for an Asian actor. However, this role remains restrictive, associating Asian identity with martial arts.
Yu critiques Hollywood's type-casting and its societal effects. These persistent stereotypes contribute to the invisibility of Asian Americans in entertainment and society. Interior Chinatown invites readers to question the ingrained narratives within the cultural context.
Cultural identity
Charles Yu's Interior Chinatown examines Asian American identity by addressing the model minority myth. The story follows Willis Wu, a Taiwanese American actor confined to stereotypical roles like "Background Oriental Male." Yu uses satire to depict how these stereotypes affect self-perception and worth. Willis aspires to be "Kung Fu Guy," symbolizing the broader fight against restrictive cultural norms.
The book explores how the model minority myth covers systemic issues and creates a false sense of success, often setting Asian Americans apart from other minority groups. This myth shapes character interactions, leading Willis to question his goals and their genuine value.
Yu pairs humor with serious themes in scenes reflecting the immigrant experience. The characters' search for authenticity and identity highlights the struggle against imposed stereotypes. Through Willis's story, Yu offers insights into the challenges of managing personal identity amid societal expectations.
Innovative storytelling style
Charles Yu's Interior Chinatown employs a screenplay format to explore themes of identity and representation. The structure uses scene headings and the Courier font to depict a Hollywood defined by stereotypes. Protagonist Willis Wu seeks recognition beyond his role as "Generic Asian Man." The format creates a blend of reality and script, resembling a TV show.
This approach critiques constraints on identity and representation. The narrative alternates between scripted scenes and Willis's reflections on his identity. Characters interact with Willis outside the script, addressing stereotypes and his pursuit of self-worth. The format examines Asian American invisibility and explores the search for authenticity in restrictive societal frameworks.
Quick facts
Interior Chinatown won the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction, marking a significant achievement in Charles Yu's literary career.
The novel is uniquely written in a screenplay format, blending metafiction and social commentary.
Willis Wu, the protagonist, dreams of becoming “Kung Fu Guy,” symbolizing success against Asian stereotypes in Hollywood.
The novel critiques Hollywood's racial categorization and limited stereotype roles offered to Asian actors.
Yu's involvement in writing for the TV show Westworld influenced the layered narrative structure and conceptual development of Interior Chinatown.
The plot includes a metafictional courtroom drama addressing racial identity and societal roles.
The book explores themes of racial stereotyping, assimilation, and the "model minority myth" through satire and narrative innovation.
Interior Chinatown addresses historical legal discrimination and the marginalization of Asians in America, tying in themes like the Chinese Exclusion Act.
The protagonist's personal and familial dynamics, especially with his father, provide a poignant exploration of generational and immigrant experiences.
Hulu adapted Interior Chinatown into a series which premiered in November 2024, with Taika Waititi as executive producer and Jimmy O. Yang starring as Willis Wu.
Charles Yu was personally involved in the adaptation process, serving as the creator and showrunner of the TV series.
The Hulu adaptation creatively blends real-world and television elements using storytelling techniques like lighting transitions and character glitches.
TV adaptation
Interior Chinatown was adapted into a 10-part limited series, which premiered on Hulu on November 19, 2024. Taika Waititi served as executive producer, with author Charles Yu involved as the series’s showrunner. Jimmy O. Yang stars as Willis Wu.
About the author
Charles Yu, born in 1976 to Taiwanese immigrant parents, has influenced both literature and television. He initially studied molecular and cellular biology at UC Berkeley before moving to creative writing, drawing inspiration from Isaac Asimov and Kurt Vonnegut. Yu received early recognition for his debut collection, Third Class Superhero. The National Book Foundation named him as one of its "5 Under 35" honorees. His first novel, How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, demonstrated his innovative storytelling. In 2020, Interior Chinatown won the National Book Award for Fiction. The novel critiques Hollywood’s racial typecasting using an inventive script format. Yu has also written for television, contributing to HBO's Westworld.
