Chinese author Wen Zhao will release her novel that was postponed for “racism” concerns
The New York Times reports that Chinese author Wen Zhao will release her novel that was originally postponed for “racism” concerns.
Originally set for a June release, Blood Heir came under fire for its “anti-black” racism.
Set in the fictional Cyrilian Empire, the young adult book includes themes of human slavery, supposedly presenting a world in which “oppression is blind to skin colour.”
Fantasy author LL McKinney tweeted that the book was “anti-black”, rejecting the idea that oppression could be colorblind.
At the time, Zhao addressed the criticism and apologized for any offence she may have caused, adding that the novel drew on her Asian heritage.
“The narrative and history of slavery in the United States is not something I can, would, or intended to write, but I recognise that I am not writing in merely my own cultural context,” she said.
Now, a revived edition of the Beijing author’s novel is set for release in November.
“There were so many voices chiming in, and only a few people had read the book,” Zhao said in a recent interview, adding that the book is now even closer to her ideas. “Ultimately, it’s true to my vision.”
Zhao’s editor Krista Marino added, “we had had many readers at that point and hadn’t received any such feedback.”
“We ultimately think our Y.A. readers are very smart,” Marino continued. “They can read what they want to read and use their critical thinking skills to work through it.”
On Monday, Delacorte Press announced a 19 November release date.
