Louis Chu
Encyclopedia
Louis Hing Chu was a pioneer of Asian American literature
with his only published work Eat a Bowl of Tea
.
Immigrating to New Jersey
from Toishan, China
, Chu completed a high school education and followed to receive a bachelor's degree from Upsala College
and a Masters degree in sociology from New York University
.
Aside from writing, Chu also worked for the New York City's Department of Welfare, Soon Yoon Benevolent Society
and worked as the disc jockey for the Chinese Festival radio program.
Chu died in 1970 leaving behind his wife, four children and three grandchildren. Chu never witnessed the impact of Eat a Bowl of Tea. Though the novel was originally published in 1961, it was not received well by critics. It wasn't until the novel was republished in 1979 that it was acknowledged as a pioneering contribution to Asian American literature.
Asian American literature
Although immigrants from Asia and Americans of Asian descent have been writing in the United States since the 19th century, Asian American literature as a category of writing only came into existence in the early 1970s...
with his only published work Eat a Bowl of Tea
Eat a Bowl of Tea (novel)
Eat a Bowl of Tea is a 1961 novel by Louis Chu. It was the first Chinese American novel set in Chinese America. Because of its portrayal of the "bachelor society" in New York's Chinatown after World War II, it has become an important work in Asian American studies. It has been cited as an influence...
.
Immigrating to New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
from Toishan, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Chu completed a high school education and followed to receive a bachelor's degree from Upsala College
Upsala College
Upsala College was a private college in East Orange, New Jersey, USA, founded in 1893. Construction of the campus started in 1900. The college closed in 1995, after several years of financial problems.-History:...
and a Masters degree in sociology from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
Aside from writing, Chu also worked for the New York City's Department of Welfare, Soon Yoon Benevolent Society
Friendly society
A friendly society is a mutual association for insurance, pensions or savings and loan-like purposes, or cooperative banking. It is a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who join together for a common financial or social purpose...
and worked as the disc jockey for the Chinese Festival radio program.
Chu died in 1970 leaving behind his wife, four children and three grandchildren. Chu never witnessed the impact of Eat a Bowl of Tea. Though the novel was originally published in 1961, it was not received well by critics. It wasn't until the novel was republished in 1979 that it was acknowledged as a pioneering contribution to Asian American literature.