Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction Best Book (nominee)
'PP Wong has blazed a trail for future British Chinese novelists. The Life of a Banana is bursting with original and exciting flavours.' The Independent, UK
'Revealing in its exploration of cultural and generational conflicts and moving in its optimism.' The Guardian, UK
'The Life of a Banana can make people think in intimate and silent reflection. What we are all called to do is essentially understand that there must not be any form of judgment or condemnation of those who look different. We need tolerance and full acceptance without any prejudice, which makes us more human.' Vanity Fair
'Life Of A Banana is so refreshingly distinct. Read it, and you will soon find yourself wanting more.' The Daily Mail, UK
'Speaks volumes...an engaging read.' The Star, Malaysia
'Impeccably observed, often hilarious, and deeply moving... pitch-perfect.' David Henry Hwang, Tony Award-winning writer.
'A Chinese debut in England. It is the phenomenon P.P. Wong.' La Repubblica, Italy
'Focus book of the month: "A talented voice."' Marie Claire
'Deeply insightful... Tragedy and trauma are juxtaposed with a jokey colloquialism.' Bare Fiction Magazine
'Brought back happy memories of Sue Townsend's Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.' Lord Nathaniel Wei, House of Lords UK
'Wong has created a real barnstormer of a novel that deserves to be on several of the awards list. It's definitely getting a place in my Top Ten.' If These Books Could Talk
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Xing Li is what some Chinese people call a banana - yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Although born and raised in London, she never feels like she fits in. When her mother dies, she moves with her older brother to live with venomous Grandma, strange Uncle Ho and Hollywood actress Auntie Mei. Her only friend is Jay - a mixed raced Jamaican boy with a passion for classical music.
Then Xing Li's life takes an even harsher turn: the school bullying escalates and her uncle requests she assist him in an unthinkable favour. Her happy childhood becomes a distant memory as her new life is infiltrated with the harsh reality of being an ethnic minority.Consumed by secrets, violence and confusing family relations, Xing Li tries to find hope wherever she can. In order to find her own identity, she must first discover what it means to be both Chinese and British.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
PP Wong is an author, screenwriter and editor. She was born during a very cold winter in London and her fondest memory is trudging through shoulder height snow.
Her debut novel The Life of a Banana was longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and featured in many publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Corriere Della Sera, Bangkok Post and Vanity Fair.
After a degree in Anthropology & Law at the London School of Economics she worked as an actor (plus multiple jobs) and founded the online magazine bananawriters.com
PP is currently creating a TV series about a British Chinese family living in 90s London. She is also working on her second novel.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
'Revealing in its exploration of cultural and generational conflicts and moving in its optimism.' The Guardian, UK
'The Life of a Banana can make people think in intimate and silent reflection. What we are all called to do is essentially understand that there must not be any form of judgment or condemnation of those who look different. We need tolerance and full acceptance without any prejudice, which makes us more human.' Vanity Fair
'Life Of A Banana is so refreshingly distinct. Read it, and you will soon find yourself wanting more.' The Daily Mail, UK
'Speaks volumes...an engaging read.' The Star, Malaysia
'Impeccably observed, often hilarious, and deeply moving... pitch-perfect.' David Henry Hwang, Tony Award-winning writer.
'A Chinese debut in England. It is the phenomenon P.P. Wong.' La Repubblica, Italy
'Focus book of the month: "A talented voice."' Marie Claire
'Deeply insightful... Tragedy and trauma are juxtaposed with a jokey colloquialism.' Bare Fiction Magazine
'Brought back happy memories of Sue Townsend's Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.' Lord Nathaniel Wei, House of Lords UK
'Wong has created a real barnstormer of a novel that deserves to be on several of the awards list. It's definitely getting a place in my Top Ten.' If These Books Could Talk
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Xing Li is what some Chinese people call a banana - yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Although born and raised in London, she never feels like she fits in. When her mother dies, she moves with her older brother to live with venomous Grandma, strange Uncle Ho and Hollywood actress Auntie Mei. Her only friend is Jay - a mixed raced Jamaican boy with a passion for classical music.
Then Xing Li's life takes an even harsher turn: the school bullying escalates and her uncle requests she assist him in an unthinkable favour. Her happy childhood becomes a distant memory as her new life is infiltrated with the harsh reality of being an ethnic minority.Consumed by secrets, violence and confusing family relations, Xing Li tries to find hope wherever she can. In order to find her own identity, she must first discover what it means to be both Chinese and British.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
PP Wong is an author, screenwriter and editor. She was born during a very cold winter in London and her fondest memory is trudging through shoulder height snow.
Her debut novel The Life of a Banana was longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and featured in many publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Corriere Della Sera, Bangkok Post and Vanity Fair.
After a degree in Anthropology & Law at the London School of Economics she worked as an actor (plus multiple jobs) and founded the online magazine bananawriters.com
PP is currently creating a TV series about a British Chinese family living in 90s London. She is also working on her second novel.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
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