Picture a Taiwanese-American storyteller weaving tales of friendship and identity that hit you right in the feels—meet Jean Chen Ho! Born in Taiwan and raised in Southern California, Ho burst onto the literary scene with her debut, Fiona and Jane, a dazzling collection of linked stories that’s as much about heartbreak as it is about hope. With a PhD in progress at USC and a knack for capturing the messy beauty of Asian-American life, Ho’s writing is like a late-night chat with your best friend—raw, real, and impossible to put down.
The Making of Jean Chen Ho
Jean Chen Ho was born in Taiwan and moved to Cerritos, California, as a child, growing up in a vibrant, predominantly Asian suburb that shaped her perspective. Her love for storytelling bloomed later, sparked by a diverse crew of friends and a deep dive into Asian-American studies at UC Berkeley. After stints in New York and a day job at an AAPI nonprofit, Ho hit her stride at 30, earning an MFA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where the seeds of Fiona and Jane were planted. Now a doctoral candidate at USC, she’s blending archival research with fiction, proving she’s as much a scholar as a storyteller.
Jean Chen Ho’s Unforgettable Stories
Ho’s debut, Fiona and Jane (Viking, 2022), is a love letter to friendship, following two Taiwanese-American women over 20 years as they navigate love, loss, and identity across Los Angeles, Taiwan, and New York. Its 10 linked stories, told in alternating voices, pulse with wit and vulnerability, earning praise from NPR and a spot on TIME’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2022. Her short story Cold Turkey and essays in outlets like The New York Times Magazine and The Cut showcase her range, blending humor with sharp cultural commentary. Ho’s style? Think intimate, cinematic prose that captures the ache of being young and the joy of claiming your space. Her next project, a novel diving into the 1871 Los Angeles Chinatown massacre, promises to tackle racial violence with the same unflinching grace.
Whether she’s writing about seedy LA bars or Taipei night markets, Ho’s work is grounded in place and people. Her characters—flawed, fierce, and fully human—reflect the complexities of Asian-American womanhood, making her stories resonate far beyond their specific settings. Critics like Viet Thanh Nguyen call her “refreshingly un-self-conscious,” a nod to her ability to bare souls without pretense.
Why Jean Chen Ho Matters
Jean Chen Ho’s work is a game-changer for Asian-American literature, offering a nuanced take on identity that sidesteps clichés. By centering messy, joyful friendships between women, she’s carving out space for stories that feel both universal and deeply specific. Her teaching stints at Scripps College, where she held the 2023 Mary Routt Endowed Chair, and Skidmore College show her commitment to nurturing new voices. Ho’s blend of fiction and archival research also bridges past and present, shedding light on overlooked histories like anti-Asian violence. In a world quick to scapegoat, her stories humanize and heal, making her a vital voice in contemporary fiction.
About Jean Chen Ho
- Born: Taiwan, raised in Southern California
- Key Work: Fiona and Jane (2022)
- Education: MFA, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; PhD candidate, USC
- Awards: Kundiman Fellow, MacDowell Residency
Snag Fiona and Jane and dive into Jean Chen Ho’s vibrant, soul-stirring world—you won’t want to leave!