Picture a Malaysian storyteller who spun a wartime saga so gripping it’s translated into over twenty languages—meet Vanessa Chan! Born and raised in Malaysia, this literary star burst onto the global scene with her debut novel, The Storm We Made, a tale of espionage and family ties set against the Japanese occupation of Malaya. With a knack for blending historical depth with heart-wrenching narratives, Chan’s work has captivated readers and critics alike, earning spots on bestseller lists and book club picks.
From her Brooklyn base, Chan crafts stories that pulse with Malaysian culture, colonial history, and the resilience of ordinary people. Her journey from corporate life to literary fame is as compelling as her prose, making her a voice to watch in historical fiction.
The Making of Vanessa Chan
Vanessa Chan grew up in Malaysia, surrounded by a family of storytellers—smugglers, ad men, and gossips—who fueled her imagination. Arriving in the U.S. at 19 with just a suitcase and $50, she studied at UC Berkeley, graduating into a financial crisis. Chan carved a successful career in public relations, eventually becoming Meta’s director of communications. But a leadership course meant to propel her further in tech sparked a pivot. She left for New York, enrolled in an MFA program at The New School, and began writing stories rooted in her heritage, shaped by her grandmother’s wartime anecdotes.
Vanessa Chan’s Unforgettable Stories
Chan’s debut, The Storm We Made, is a tour de force set in 1930s and 1940s Malaya. It follows Cecily Alcantara, a discontented mother turned Japanese spy, whose choices unleash devastating consequences for her family. The novel’s alternating timelines and vivid characters—like Cecily’s children navigating war’s horrors—earned it praise as a New York Times Editors’ Choice and a Good Morning America Book Club pick. Its cinematic storytelling and focus on the colonized perspective make it a standout in WWII fiction.
Beyond her novel, Chan’s short stories, published in Electric Literature, Kenyon Review, and Vogue, explore race, identity, and rebellious women. Her forthcoming collection, The Ugliest Babies in the World, promises feral girls unraveling family mysteries in post-colonial Malaysia. Chan’s style weaves historical grit with emotional intimacy, offering readers a lens into Malaysia’s complex past.
Her work draws from personal loss—her mother’s death during the pandemic shifted the novel’s tone—and her grandmother’s memories, like mixing tapioca with rice to stretch wartime rations. This authenticity resonates, making Chan’s stories both universal and deeply Malaysian.
Why Vanessa Chan Matters
Vanessa Chan’s impact lies in her ability to humanize history’s overlooked voices. By centering Malayan experiences in WWII, she challenges the Western-dominated narrative of the era, giving agency to colonized communities. Her work has sparked global interest, with translations in over twenty languages and acclaim from Japan to the U.S. Chan’s storytelling bridges cultures, inviting readers to see war through the eyes of a family caught in its storm.
As a Malaysian woman in historical fiction, she’s carving space for diverse voices, inspiring writers to reclaim their narratives. Her blend of empathy and unflinching honesty ensures her stories linger, making her a vital figure in modern literature.
- Born: Malaysia, date not publicly available
- Key Works: The Storm We Made (2024), The Ugliest Babies in the World (forthcoming)
- Awards: Stanley Elkin Scholar (2021), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee
Snag The Storm We Made and dive into Vanessa Chan’s lush, heart-stirring historical fiction!