via @kevinkwanbooks
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes today that the 2019 Pittsburgh Humanities Festival will feature Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan. The festival introduces "An Evening with Kevin Kwan: Crazy Rich Asians and the Power of Representation":
Kevin Kwan’s breakout debut novel, Crazy Rich Asians, has become something of a cultural phenomenon, topping bestseller lists worldwide, spawning two bestselling sequels and inspiring a #1 movie. Also the first romantic comedy from a major Hollywood studio to feature a lead actor and actress of Asian descent, the release of this film is now considered a watershed moment to many Asians and Asian-Americans.The event starts at 8:00 pm on March 22, 2019 at Byham Theater. Tickets for the talk start at $25 and are available online.
In this interview, Kwan discusses the (unanticipated) cultural impact of his novels and describes how the climate in many industries, particularly entertainment, is already changing. Discussing the wide spectrum and multiple facets of Asians around the world, Kwan also explores the unimaginable wealth disparity rarely discussed.
Now part of a larger conversation, Kwan advocates the need for proper representation in society, as he says, “The more we demystify a culture and people, the more we relate to each other.”