Charles Chowkai Yu (born January 3, 1976) is an American writer and attorney, celebrated for his inventive narratives that blend science fiction with poignant explorations of identity and family. His notable works include the novels How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe and Interior Chinatown, the latter of which earned him the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction.

Charles Yu

Photo by Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Link

Early Life and Education

Yu’s parents emigrated from Taiwan to the United States, and he grew up in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology and a minor in creative writing. During his time at Berkeley, he wrote poetry and participated in workshops with notable poets such as Thom Gunn and Ishmael Reed. Yu later earned a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School.

Career

Before fully dedicating himself to writing, Yu practiced law. He worked as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, served as a corporate attorney at Bryan Cave, held the position of Director of Business Affairs at Digital Domain, and was an associate general counsel at Belkin International.

Literary Works

Yu’s literary career is marked by a blend of short stories and novels that often incorporate elements of science fiction and metafiction.

  • Short Story Collections:
    • Third Class Superhero (2006)
    • Sorry Please Thank You (2012)
  • Novels:
    • How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe (2010): This novel follows a time machine repairman on a quest for his missing father, delving into themes of memory and self-discovery.
    • Interior Chinatown (2020): Presented in a screenplay format, this novel examines the Asian American experience through the lens of a character confined to stereotypical roles in Hollywood. The book received critical acclaim, winning the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction.

Television and Screenwriting

Yu has contributed to various television projects, including writing for HBO’s Westworld. His experience in the writers’ room, surrounded by lifeless robot props, inspired themes explored in Interior Chinatown. He adapted this novel into a television series for Hulu, which premiered on November 19, 2024. The series stars Jimmy O. Yang as Willis Wu, an Asian American actor striving to break free from stereotypical roles.

Personal Life

Yu resides near Irvine, California, with his wife, Michelle Jue, and their two children, Sophia and Dylan. His brother, Kelvin Yu, is an actor and television writer.

Awards and Honors

  • National Book Award for Fiction: 2020, for Interior Chinatown
  • “5 Under 35” Honoree by the National Book Foundation: 2007
  • Robert Olen Butler Prize: 2005, for the short story “My Last Days As Me”
  • Sherwood Anderson Fiction Award: 2004, for the short story “Third Class Superhero”

Yu’s work continues to resonate for its innovative storytelling and insightful commentary on cultural identity.

Note: This post is based on publicly available information from Wikipedia. (en.wikipedia.org)