Alexander Chee Books In Order

Publication Order of Inheritance Collection Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

An American writer with a big reputation, Alexander Chee has been writing for some years now, as he creates his unique blend of fiction for a modern and contemporary audience. With a background in poetry, reviewing and journalism too, he’s tried a vast number of different styles, gaining a whole range of skills, as he refines and hones his craft. This is something that can be seen reflected in his numerous titles to date, as his audience grows worldwide on an international scale.

Early and Personal Life

Whilst Alexander Chee was born in America in Rhode Island, he was actually brought up in South Korea, where he spent a large portion of his childhood. This was before moving back to America at a later stage and pursuing his adult career as a writer of fiction and literature. With his international sense of values he managed to gain a lot of insight and experience, all of which helped to inform both him and his writing.

With a large part of his upbringing taking place in South Korea, it was here that he was also gain much of his education during his formative years, shaping him into the person he is today. He also spent time in Kauai, Maine, Guam, and Truk, all of which gave him a more cosmopolitan and worldly sense to his collected experiences overall. Later he went on to attend Wesleyan University along with Iowa Writers’ Workshop, which gave him the tools necessary to hone and refine his craft in the years to come.

Keeping his hand in academia, he still teaches and lectures himself sometimes, teaching fiction and creative writing at the New School University, along with Wesleyan as well. He has also held the position of Picador Professor for Literature for a short period at the University of Leipzig, before he moved on with his career as a whole. This has allowed him to teach his skills gained, passing them on in the hope of inspiring new generations of writers who may be hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Now living in New York City where he continues to write to this day, he carries on with his many other commitments as well, always with a new project ready to go. Wherever he’s being published, he always has plenty of outlets for his material, having had his work released in a whole variety of different places. This is something that’s set to continue on into the foreseeable future, as it appears that he’s showing no signs of stopping anytime soon, with plenty more titles planned on the horizon.

Writing Career

Releasing his first book titled Edinburgh in 2001, Alexander Chee made an impact on the scene creating a highly positive and powerful first impression within the field of literature. Gaining the praise and applause of both literary pundits and critics, he was well on his way to becoming a force to be reckoned with creating highly distinctive and influential novels. Contributing stories to various collections as well, along with getting his essays published in a number of highly reputable publications, he had made a name for himself with his peers.

Receiving awards for his work, he gained recognition from his critics and, not only that, managed to reach bestseller status as well, as he made an impact with the public at large. He has also been placed in Out magazines list of the 100 most influential people of the year, thus helping to further cement both his legacy and his reach. As more books are planned to be released in the near future, it looks like his writing career is growing from strength-to-strength, something which will continue for some time yet.

Edinburgh

Initially published in 2001, this was to be the book that marked the beginning of Alexander Chee’s literary career, setting up his style and tone and making his first mark. Whilst this was a standalone story, there are many points that keen readers would come to recognize as being trademarks of Chee in the many years to come. Creating a unique tone, style and ambiance, it works to establish key characters, many of whom would come to be themes and tropes in the many books to follow.

As a twelve year old American-Korean boy, Fee finds himself to be a most gifted soprano, as he sings in Maine for an all boys choir that is there. The director of the choir turns out to be a pedophile and tragedy hits when Fee and his friends must deal with the feelings of grief and shame they feel in the aftermath. Years later after some of the others haven’t been quite so lucky as Fee and haven’t survived, he know finds that, during his college years, he must once again return to the trauma that has haunted him so long, all with the help of a beautiful young woman.

The Queen of the Night

Published on the second of February in 2016, this book gained great reviews from both critics and the public alike, signalling that Alexander Chee was once again on form for this new and eagerly awaited release. Placed in a historical setting, it draws upon a vast number of influences that all seek to substantiate its material and cement its characters and narrative arc within their respective environments. It is also very much typical of Chee in both its style and its tone, as it gives its readers what they want, something which shows the author knowingly playing to his strengths as a writer.

Set in the Paris Opera is Lilliet Berne, a singing sensation there who is receiving all the accolades she deserves, as she seeks to cement her legendary status on the stage there. That’s when a role arrives that might help her achieve this, with its originality and freshness allowing her to flourish for her many adoring fans. One problem though is that this role has links to her past, a past that she wants to keep hidden, as she realizes someone out there might not have her best intentions at heart.