Kevin Chong
Encyclopedia
Kevin Chong is a Canadian
author
.
Born in Hong Kong
, Chong studied at the University of British Columbia
and Columbia University
, where he received an MFA in fiction writing.
His first novel, Baroque-a-Nova, was published in Canada by Penguin in 2001, in the United States
by Putnam
in 2002, and in France by Ballard in 2002. The New York Times
Book Review describes the book as "a readable, if slightly gray, coming-of-age novel." The Quill and Quire described the book as "compact, clear-sighted, and nervy. Chong’s grasp of suburban tackiness is laugh-out-loud awesome, right down to the ubiquitous copies of Maclean’s magazine on parental coffee tables and trick or treaters dressed as Orville Redenbacher."
His second book Neil Young Nation (2005), a non-fiction work, traces the steps of Neil Young
's 1970 trip across Canada and the United States. New York Times Book Review of compared the book to "watching an endless home movie in which a not very close friend visits all the houses he grew up in." The Georgia Straight suggested that "Still looking for happiness, community, and fulfillment, Chong is a genuine seeker-and his journey is a ride worth taking."
Chong works extensively as a freelance journalist.
He is a practitioner of the martial art-like aerobic exercise form Tae Bo
, and had a minor role in the film Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite He is also active in Vancouver's underground music scene, performing jazz under his stage name, "Butterscotch Panda."
In 2010, Chong gained a heightened degree of infamy after novelist Peter Darbyshire confronted him at a book launch regarding a negative review Chong gave one of his books. Both men were visibly drunk and engaged in a fistfight on stage, resulting in Chong and Darbyshire's arrest. According to the National Post, Chong struck Darbyshire with a fire extinguisher.
Chong lives in Vancouver, British Columbia
, and is an accomplished show dog
handler. as well as an editor for Joyland: A hub for short fiction
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
Born in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Chong studied at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
and Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, where he received an MFA in fiction writing.
His first novel, Baroque-a-Nova, was published in Canada by Penguin in 2001, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by Putnam
G. P. Putnam's Sons
G. P. Putnam's Sons was a major United States book publisher based in New York City, New York. Since 1996, it has been an imprint of the Penguin Group.-History:...
in 2002, and in France by Ballard in 2002. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Book Review describes the book as "a readable, if slightly gray, coming-of-age novel." The Quill and Quire described the book as "compact, clear-sighted, and nervy. Chong’s grasp of suburban tackiness is laugh-out-loud awesome, right down to the ubiquitous copies of Maclean’s magazine on parental coffee tables and trick or treaters dressed as Orville Redenbacher."
His second book Neil Young Nation (2005), a non-fiction work, traces the steps of Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's 1970 trip across Canada and the United States. New York Times Book Review of compared the book to "watching an endless home movie in which a not very close friend visits all the houses he grew up in." The Georgia Straight suggested that "Still looking for happiness, community, and fulfillment, Chong is a genuine seeker-and his journey is a ride worth taking."
Chong works extensively as a freelance journalist.
He is a practitioner of the martial art-like aerobic exercise form Tae Bo
Tae Bo
Tae Bo is an aerobic exercise routine that became popular in the 1990s. It was developed by taekwondo practitioner Billy Blanks and was one of the first "cardio-boxing" programs to enjoy commercial success. Such programs use the motions of martial arts at a rapid pace designed to promote fitness...
, and had a minor role in the film Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite He is also active in Vancouver's underground music scene, performing jazz under his stage name, "Butterscotch Panda."
In 2010, Chong gained a heightened degree of infamy after novelist Peter Darbyshire confronted him at a book launch regarding a negative review Chong gave one of his books. Both men were visibly drunk and engaged in a fistfight on stage, resulting in Chong and Darbyshire's arrest. According to the National Post, Chong struck Darbyshire with a fire extinguisher.
Chong lives in Vancouver, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and is an accomplished show dog
Show dog
A show dog might refer to any dog entered into a dog show. More specifically, a show dog is a dog which has been specially bred, trained, and/or groomed to conform to the specifications of dog shows, so as to have a chance of winning...
handler. as well as an editor for Joyland: A hub for short fiction
Joyland: A hub for short fiction
Joyland: A hub for short fiction is a website for short stories. It was created by authors Emily Schultz and Brian Joseph Davis and its editorial structure is uniquely distributed across eight North American cities and regions. Notable contributors have included Jonathan Lethem, Lydia Millet,...
.
Novels
- Baroque-a-Nova Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2001.
- Beauty Plus Pity Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp, [forthcoming, Fall 2011], ISBN: 9781551524160
Non-fiction
Crisscrossing the continent, Chong follows the route that led Neil Young to become a musical legend.External links
- Kevin Chong, profile from the Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival.
- Neil Young Nation page on Greystone Books website