Jane Wong Curls and Uncurls Her Fists

At NPR, Jane Wong discusses her new poetry collection, How to Not Be Afraid of Everything, which depicts her own experience of Chinese immigrant life in the U.S., while also giving voice to generations before her. “In writing this book, I did not conduct quote-unquote interviews,” Wong says. “I didn’t do quote-unquote research with my family directly, because it would be too painful. Instead, I just listened really deeply. Like, what are they not saying? And what does that mean? This book feels very much like it’s trying to make sure everyone sees that I have fists and they are curling and uncurling at all times.”