Rebecca F. Kuang started writing her first novel, The Poppy War, when she was just 19 years old. The final installment in the author’s dark military fantasy series, The Burning God, came out last November. Now, The Poppy War trilogy has been nominated for the 2021 Hugo Award for best series.

This hour we talk with Kuang, who will also be starting a PhD program at Yale University in East Asian Languages and Literature. She has pursued an extensive academic career in modern Chinese studies—while also writing acclaimed fantasy novels.

Kuang’s stories weave the fantastic with her deep knowledge of twentieth century Chinese history.

Have you been reading The Poppy War trilogy?

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired November 17, 2020.

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