Media and Reviews
The Globe and Mail: Stacy Lee Kong interviews me and my friend Kate Quinn about the relevance of historical fiction and much more. Historical fiction is having a moment – and the stories its authors are telling are anything but archaic.
If the article is still behind a paywall, try this link
Quill and Quire: The Library of Legends makes their list of 2020 Books of the Year: Industry picks
The Lorenzo Review, about the importance of folklore Chinese Folklore, Illuminated: Janie Chang’s The Library of Legends
TIME Magazine publishes an article I wrote about the real library that inspired the novel. The Risky Journey That Saved One of China’s Greatest Literary Treasures
Vancouver Sun an interview with book reviewer Dana Gee. Library of Legends novel set in China at the outbreak of the Second World War.
Toronto Star says "One of the most original voices in Canadian historical fiction, Chang writes epic novels inspired by personal family stories ... Captivating, tinged with magic realism, and rich with Chinese history, folklore (and cuisine!), this is a delight from start to finish." Historical fiction sagas: four new books to immerse yourself in.
CBC Radio North by Northwest: an interview with host Sheryl MacKay. You can move the slider to the 2 hour mark. Here's the audio interview.
Vancouver Writers Festival: To close off Asian Heritage Month in Canada, I was on a super fun panel with author Lindsay Wong, poet David Ly and moderators Jen Sookfong Lee and Rosie the Dog. The dog didn't cooperate and there's a few minutes of non-relevant chit chat at the beginning as we set up and wait for viewers to join in. Here's the Youtube video.
Ontario Morning from CBC Radio: Host Wei Chen talks to 49th Shelf editor Kerry Clare about books she's been reading and recommending. At around the 39 minute mark. Here's the audio interview.
Teen Vogue includes The LIbrary of Legends on its list of 13 Books by Asian and Pacific Islander Authors That Should be Required Reading.
CBC Books includes The LIbrary of Legends on its list of 17 books to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Canada.
The Globe and Mail includes The LIbrary of Legends on its Canadian Fiction Bestsellers list.
The Toronto Star includes The LIbrary of Legends on its Canadian Fiction Bestsellers list.
Huffington Post includes The LIbrary of Legends on its list of 10 of the Most Anticipated Book Releases of May 2020
Parade Magazine includes The Library of Legends on its list of 30 Best Summer Beach Reads of 2020
Can We Save a Library? Q&A with author Leslie Lindsay about the true epic of saving a treasured library during the Sino-Japanese War, on refugees, Covid-19. myths and folklore and much more. From Leslie A. Lindsay's blog.
Biblio Happy Hour Hosted by the delightful and amazing Victoria Wood. Who also curates the Biblio Lifestyle newsletter and runs the BiblioFinder website. We could've talked for hours. Listen to the podcast at around the 38:40 mark
Savvy Reader publishes my list of reading recommendations. Janie Chang's Ultimate Self-Quarantine Reading List.
PopSugar includes The Library of Legends on its list of must-reads list Thank Goodness For These 25 Exciting New Books Coming Out in May
Brit+Co includes The Library of Legends on its list of Best Summer Reads 12 Books That Will Take You on a LIterary Vacation
NetGalley's Bookish includes The Library of Legends on its list of 2020 Novels Taking Readers on a Journey to the Past
Radio Interview with Jamie Tennant - Get Lit at Lunch, CFMU.FM
Q&A Interview with Deborah Kalb - Deborah Kalb Author Q&As
“Chang expertly weaves mysticism and historical details, and sets up a cast of memorable characters. This will charm readers from the very first page.” - Publishers Weekly
“…history aficionados will appreciate the Chang family-inspired true stories, including war-necessitated exoduses of Chinese university students, the guardianship of literary treasures, and the little girl who walked into battle on her soldier-father’s shoulders.” - ALA Booklist review
“Chang has created a lovely novel that is both joyful and lighthearted and deeply tragic as she explores a culture and people who are forced to accept that their country will never be the same following the war and the departure of the spirits that protected their land for centuries.” - Library Journal
“A book that draws inspiration from both Chinese legend and history and that weaves a wholly original tale of characters both mythical and mortal … By bringing together the historic with the fantastical, Chang deftly shows the importance of stories, the power they carry with them, and why they are always worth protecting.” Book of the Month Club An April 2020 pick
"Janie Chang has written a work of historical fiction that carries the resonance of a legend ... The novel is so immersive that if it ends up being read as widely as it deserves, I can see it becoming part of our collective global memory." - BookTrib
A blog/interview with 49th Shelf. Those were hard questions! And there's a short video at the end. - 49th Shelf Launchpad: The Library of Legends