Wordy Birds

Free Food for Millionaires

Original airdate: May 30, 2008

The official description of “Free Food for Millionaires” goes something like this:

“Casey Han’s four years at Princeton gave her many things, “But no job and a number of bad habits.” Casey’s parents, who live in Queens, are Korean immigrants working in a dry cleaner, desperately trying to hold on to their culture and their identity. Their daughter, on the other hand, has entered into rarified American society via scholarships. But after graduation, Casey sees the reality of having expensive habits without the means to sustain them. As she navigates Manhattan, we see her life and the lives around her, culminating in a portrait of New York City and its world of haves and have-nots. “Free Food for Millionaires” offers up a fresh exploration of the complex layers we inhabit both in society and within ourselves. Inspired by 19th century novels such as “Vanity Fair” and “Middlemarch,” Min Jin Lee examines maintaining one’s identity within changing communities in what is her remarkably assured debut.”

Actually, it goes exactly like that. Forgive the cut and paste. Min Jin Lee was a great guest… listen for yourself.

Thanks for tuning in.

Liz

Listen to the show:

Buy the book:

Free Food for Millionaires