Picture a Chinese-American storyteller who spun a heart-wrenching tale of family and identity—meet Lisa Ko! Born in New York City to Chinese immigrants from the Philippines, Ko has carved a unique space in contemporary literature with her debut novel, The Leavers, a powerful exploration of the immigrant experience. Her ability to weave complex characters and raw emotion into stories of belonging has captivated readers and critics alike, earning her a spot as a vital voice in today’s literary scene.
With a pen in hand since age five, Ko’s journey from a curious child to an award-winning author is as compelling as her fiction. Her stories dig deep into the messy, beautiful intersections of culture, family, and personal dreams, all told with a clarity that hits you right in the heart.
The Making of Lisa Ko
Born in Queens and raised in suburban New Jersey, Lisa Ko grew up as the only child of Chinese immigrants, surrounded by her parents’ vivid storytelling. Around the dinner table, tales of family gossip and dramatic life events sparked her imagination. By five, she was scribbling stories and journaling, though she kept her work private until high school. At Wesleyan University, Ko majored in English, immersing herself in literature, but it wasn’t until she moved back to New York City in the late 1990s that her writing career began to take shape. Working in magazines and running an early online diary, she honed her voice while soaking in the city’s vibrant energy.
Lisa Ko’s Unforgettable Stories
Ko’s debut novel, The Leavers (2017), is a gut-punch of a story inspired by a 2009 New York Times article about an undocumented immigrant separated from her son. The novel follows Polly, an undocumented Chinese immigrant, and her son Deming, who is adopted by a white couple after Polly vanishes. Ko’s lyrical prose and dual perspectives—Polly’s fierce resilience and Deming’s search for identity—bring the immigrant experience to life with unflinching honesty. The book won the 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award, and earned praise as a “bold reinvention of the Asian immigrant novel.”
In 2024, Ko released Memory Piece, a vibrant novel tracking three Asian-American women—a performance artist, a coder, and a housing activist—from the 1980s to the 2040s. Inspired by early internet culture and queer community, it’s a kaleidoscopic look at friendship and resistance against surveillance capitalism. Ko’s short fiction, featured in Best American Short Stories and outlets like The New York Times, showcases her knack for intimate, socially sharp narratives. Her style blends emotional depth with a keen eye for cultural tensions, making her work both personal and universal.
Why Lisa Ko Matters
Lisa Ko’s work resonates because it shines a light on stories often overlooked—those of immigrants, outsiders, and people caught between worlds. Her novels challenge stereotypes, like the “self-sacrificing Asian mother,” and explore how U.S. policies impact real lives. By centering marginalized voices, Ko invites readers to rethink belonging and identity in America. Her influence extends beyond books; she’s taught at universities, spoken at festivals, and inspired a new generation of writers to tell their own stories with courage.
- Born: New York City, date not publicly available
- Key Works: The Leavers (2017), Memory Piece (2024)
- Awards: 2016 PEN/Bellwether Prize, 2017 National Book Award Finalist
- Notable Fact: Ko ran a craft stand with her parents as a child, inspiring her novel-writing process.
Snag The Leavers or Memory Piece and dive into Lisa Ko’s soulful, thought-provoking world!