We chat with author Jamie Jo Hoang about My Father, The Panda Killer, which is a poignant coming-of-age story told in two alternating voices: a California teenager railing against the Vietnamese culture, juxtaposed with her father as an eleven-year-old boat person on a harrowing and traumatic refugee journey from Vietnam to the United States.
Hi, Jamie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I love a good adventure. My motto in life is to say “yes” to every opportunity. Skydive? Yes. Nevis Bungy Jump? Done. Climb Half Dome? Sure. Repeat Half Dome? Never. Eat a tarantula? Mmm, tasty. Haunted house? Armed with garlic, I’m in.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I don’t know if there was one specific moment, but when I was a kid, after getting in trouble, my dad would always say, “Go wash your face,” and it was in the quiet reprieve of the bathroom that my imagination came to life. I’d fill the sink with scalding hot water, splash my face to quickly wash away my tears and then sit on the toilet and imagine a different life. I always wanted to be someone else.
In a way, I am an accidental writer. I stumbled into UCLA’s prestigious film school on a whim. I applied as a fluke, and my admittance was a miracle. Until the day of my interview, I’d probably seen twenty movies in my entire life. When asked about my top five films, I named “The Picture Bride,” a movie I, to this day, have not seen. The poster was hanging in the waiting area, and as my brain scrambled to find a fifth title, I blurted out the name. Now here’s the miraculous part. This movie was edited by a faculty member. If any of the three interviewers had asked about what I liked or which character I was most drawn to, I would not have had an answer. But the story gods were looking out for me, and instead of asking me for my thoughts, they proceeded to tell me theirs. As I said, a miracle.
One would think that such a close call would lead me to then race home and watch the film. But one would be wrong. I still haven’t seen it.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book: Charlotte’s Web
The one that made me want to become an author: Tuesdays with Morrie
The one I can’t stop thinking about: Magic Fish
Your latest novel, My Father, The Panda Killer, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Honest, raw, imaginative, heartbreaking, and healing.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a shockingly real, emotionally resonant story about generational trauma. I imagine some readers will want to look away from a few really challenging moments in the book. Please don’t. Jane’s story is not unique, and understanding how history shapes who we become allows us to recognize and confront certain qualities that need to change. At its core, this book is about breaking the cycle.
Where did the inspiration for My Father, The Panda Killer come from?
In some ways, I’ve been writing and rewriting this book my entire life. I remember seeing this old movie called “Life is Beautiful” by Roberto Bernini and thinking I wanted to do for Vietnamese people what Bernini did for Italians. I knew that because I was not a refugee, I could not write a retelling, so it wasn’t until I began weaving in magical realism that the book really came to life for me. This book is not a history lesson; it’s a partial history as seen through the lens of someone who, living in America, can feel her heritage slipping away.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Jackie. Jackie is Jane’s best friend, and in telling the story of their friendship, I was forced to confront some ugly truths about myself as a teenager. As American-born teens, some of my friends and I were so mean to the new fobby kids. FOB stands for fresh off the boat, and there was a divide between those born here and Vietnamese teens who arrived later. I cringed writing those moments but forced myself to keep them in because I wanted to hold myself accountable. Just as I am not perfect, Jane is not perfect.
What do you hope readers take away from reading your novel?
I hope that readers will see that there is immense power in being vulnerable. As heartbreaking as this story is to read, it was equally painful to write. I hope that children of immigrants find a friend in Jane and that all readers will seek to discover and explore their own family histories. I really believe that empathy and understanding are the roadmap to healing.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on the sister novel to MY FATHER, THE PANDA KILLER. In this book, we follow Jane and the Dad, Phúc; my next book is about Paul, the brother, and Ngoc Lan, the mom. I’m excited and nervous because while the two stories are connected, they are pretty different.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
My recs change every month, but a few of my recent favorites are: SHE’S A HAUNTING by Trang Thanh Tran, THE SERPENT KING by Jeff Zentner, PUNCHING THE AIR by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, and SLAY by Brittany Morris.
