Introduction

Introducing students to world literature is important because it exposes them to diverse perspectives, experiences, and beliefs from different cultures. This helps to develop their international mindedness and intercultural awareness, empathy, critical thinking, and creativity, all of which are important for success in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. Literature often explores complex themes and emotions, and reading, analysing, discussing and writing about texts from different contexts can help students develop these skills.

Below are suggestions for ten texts from eight Asian countries, many I have taught and recommended for students to read. It is important that you review each text before teaching or recommending it to ensure that it is suitable for your student's age and your school's context. Some of the texts contain graphic descriptions of violence and may not be appropriate for all readers.

1. Cambodia - First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung

"First They Killed My Father" is a memoir by Loung Ung that recounts her experiences as a child during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. The book follows her journey from a comfortable middle-class life in Phnom Penh to the horrors of forced labour, starvation, and loss as her family is torn apart by the brutal regime. It is a story of resilience, survival, and the enduring spirit of a young girl amidst unimaginable circumstances.

2. China - Dragonwings by Laurence Yep

"Dragonwings" is an excellent novel for teenagers set in East Asia and the United States. This historical novel, part of the Golden Mountain Chronicles, centres on Moon Shadow Lee, a young boy who leaves China to join his father in San Francisco during the early 20th century. Navigating a new country and culture, Moon Shadow and his father face prejudice, language barriers, and the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The story blends historical reality with elements of Chinese folklore and fantasy, offering a rich portrayal of the Chinese immigrant experience in the United States. 

3. China - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

"Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" is a novel by Dai Sijie set in China during the Cultural Revolution. The story follows two teenage boys, Luo and Ma, who are sent to a remote mountain village for reeducation. There, they encounter the beautiful daughter of the local tailor, known as the Little Seamstress. The boys, eager to broaden their horizons, embark on a mission to find forbidden Western literature and share it with the Little Seamstress, hoping to transform her life. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, the power of storytelling, and the clash between traditional values and the influence of outside ideas during a tumultuous time in Chinese history.

4. Japan - The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck

"The Big Wave" by Pearl S. Buck is a poignant story about Kino, a young boy in a Japanese fishing village, whose life is forever changed when a massive tsunami hits. The wave destroys homes and takes lives, leaving Kino and his friend Jiya to navigate loss and rebuild. Through their journey, they learn about resilience, friendship, and the power of nature, leaving readers with a profound understanding of human strength and the need to adapt in the face of adversity.

5. Japan - Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

"Convenience Store Woman" is a novel by Japanese author Sayaka Murata that tells the story of Keiko Furukura, a woman who has worked in the same convenience store for 18 years. Keiko, who's been seen as strange since childhood, finds a sense of normalcy and purpose in the rigid structure and predictable routine of her job. Her happiness and contentment are challenged when societal pressures to conform to traditional expectations of career advancement, marriage, and motherhood encroach upon her peaceful existence. The novel explores themes of societal conformity, the value of work, and the pressures of modern life, ultimately questioning what it means to live a fulfilling life.

6. North Korea - In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park

"In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom" is a memoir by Yeonmi Park, recounting her harrowing life in oppressive North Korea and her perilous escape to freedom. Born into a family that fell from grace in the North Korean regime, Park grew up in extreme poverty, enduring famine and oppression. Her life took a terrifying turn when, at the age of thirteen, she and her mother were forced to flee the country, embarking on a dangerous journey across the Gobi Desert to reach South Korea, only to fall into the hands of human traffickers in China. 

7. Philippines - Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

"Tall Story" by Candy Gourlay is a novel that tells the story of two siblings, Andi and Bernardo, who have grown up on opposite sides of the world. Andi lives in the Philippines, while Bernardo, who is exceptionally tall, lives in London. When their paths finally cross, Andi and Bernardo must navigate their differences and adapt to new surroundings. As they learn to understand each other, they uncover family secrets and face the challenges of fitting in and finding their place in the world.

8. South Korea - When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park

"When My Name Was Keoko" by Linda Sue Park is a historical fiction novel set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in World War II. The story, told by siblings Sun-hee and Tae-yul, chronicles the erosion of Korean culture under Japanese rule. Sun-hee, a budding writer, is renamed Keoko, while Tae-yul is forced into service as a kamikaze pilot. Despite the hardships, the novel celebrates resilience, familial bonds, and quiet acts of resistance against oppression. The story culminates with the end of World War II and a hopeful outlook for Korea's future.

9. Thailand - Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski

"Fieldwork" by Mischa Berlinski is an intriguing novel set in Chiang Mai, Thailand, framed as a fictional memoir of a journalist, who shares the author's name. The narrative follows Mischa as he delves into the perplexing life story of Martiya van der Leun, an American anthropologist who intensely studied a remote Thai hill tribe, the Dyalo. The plot thickens when it is revealed that Martiya, deeply entangled in the tribal culture and religious beliefs, was imprisoned for a mysterious crime and ultimately committed suicide. As Berlinski uncovers the layers of Martiya's complex relationships, cultural assimilation, and drastic choices, the novel intricately explores themes of cultural conflict, the ethics of anthropology, and the ramifications of religious conversion. 

10. Vietnam - Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

"Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai is a coming-of-age tale of a young girl named Hà, who flees war-torn Vietnam with her family and resettles in Alabama. The novel, written in free verse, vividly captures Hà's journey from the familiarities of Saigon, the harrowing escape by boat, to adjust to new realities of American life, including cultural differences and bullying. It's a heartfelt exploration of home, identity, and the enduring power of hope amidst upheaval.