The Chills at Will Podcast

Notes and Links to Lillian Li’s Work      Lillian Li is the author of the novel Number One Chinese Restaurant, which was an NPR Best Book of 2018, and longlisted for the Women’s Prize and the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Her work has been published in the New York Times, Granta, One Story, Bon Appetit, Travel & Leisure, The Guardian, and Jezebel. Originally from the D.C. metro area, she lives in Ann Arbor. Buy Bad Asians   Kirkus Reviews for Bad Asians   Lillian Li's Website     At about 1:30, Lillian talks about her mindset as Pub Day is a day away, and she shares heartening feedback she’s received on Bad Asians At about 3:00, Lillian talks about her early relationship with language and literature, including Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club, and coins a great term, a “Borders Kid” At about 4:40, Lillian describes growing up in a Chinese-American and Asian-American community in connection with ideas of representation  At about 6:30, Lillian reflects on “growing pains” with Joy Luck Club and having ambivalent feelings towards the book’s lasting impact At about 8:50, Lillian highlights How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder as a standout text she’s reading currently  At about 10:10, Lillian highlights Literati Bookstore as a great place to buy her book and interesting tour events coming up At about 12:05, Lillian gives background on starting the book with a map At about 13:10, Lillian talks about North Potomac, MD, and growing up there  At about 14:50, Pete sets the book’s exposition through discussion of the Prologue, and Lillian comments on her interest in the experience of those who have gone viral At about 16:30, Grace as the “golden child” is discussed in terms of Lillian’s childhood seeing comparison and "competitive friendships” At about 18:10, the two continue to describe the book’s opening and main characters  At about 21:40, Lillian describes the original video that Grace recorded that morphs into the foundation for the “Bad Asians” viral video(s) At about 23:00, Lillian responds to Pete’s asking about a middle-of-the-book scene with a caring/boundary-overstepping teacher  At about 25:20, Grace and her gilded rich girl life is described  At about 27:20, Lillian and Pete describe the ways in which the friends like Errol and Justin feel “unburdened” and free in filming with Grace, but also how Grace gets some controversial footage At about 28:55, “Going to the Mall on Molly” and its ramifications is discussed At about 30:40, Lillian describes how Vivían’s phone call leads to Grace “running away” to LA At about 32:25, Lillian gives background on the plan that the group hatches in collaboration with Carrie Yang At about 35:00, Vivían and Errol and their post-vows life and rave culture are discussed by Lillian; she talks about MDMA as a sort of emotional regulation   At about 36:30, Lillian talks about the scenes in the book as emblematic of the 2008 recession and recovery in Detroit At about 37:20, Lillian riffs on “self-medication,” with regards to an article she read about overdoses in the Asian-American community/rave culture At about 38:40, Errol’s dangerous “pranks” are analyzed  At about 40:00, Lillian discusses the “gilded cage” and “success trap” for Grace and her creative pursuits At about 42:10, the two discuss the notoriety that comes with leaked cell phone footage from the New York At about 42:45, Lillian talks about Justin’s sexuality and provides background on her research on bisexuality, intimacy and love for his character  At about 46:00, Pete compliments the ending of the book, and Lillian expands on her mindset in ending the book that way        You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up soon at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of formative and transformative writing for children, as Pete surveys wonderful writers on their own influences.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 325 with Grant Ginder, the author of the novels Let’s Not Do That Again, Honestly, We Meant Well, The People We Hate at the Wedding, Driver’s Education, and This is How It Starts, a few of which have been made into movies. His latest is So Old, So Young.     The episode airs on February 20, three days after Pub Day for So Old, So Young.     Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.     You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.