“Off the Books,” an acclaimed new novel by Soma Mei Sheng Frazier of SUNY Oswego’s English and creative writing faculty, deftly walks a tightrope of an engaging character-driven story and a serious exploration of international atrocities in China.
The plot of the book -- which made it onto noteworthy suggested summer reads lists and earned glowing reviews from the likes of the New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle -- involves Mei, a twentysomething Chinese-American Ivy League dropout who drives clients with discrete needs (hence “off the books”), mainly around the California Bay Area. But when she takes on a cross-country assignment with Henry, a handsome mysterious gentleman with a big secret, she finds herself drawn into romance, adventure and international intrigue.
“It’s very character-driven,” Frazier said. “It focuses a lot on Mei’s character as she figures out more about the larger world, even as she’s dealing with issues in her own little world.”
Behind the playful banter of Mei and Henry is a serious, inescapable plot involving China's persecution of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. “Most of these persecuted Uyghurs live in Xinjiang, a mostly desert region that produces about 20 percent of the world’s cotton – in large part through what is believed to be Uyghur forced labor,” Frazier said.
Frazier said it was a real challenge to write about a serious topic while also providing enough humor and light to keep readers engaged. The novel also has very strong family and cultural themes.
“I mostly focus on the dialogue being lighthearted,” Frazier said, “There’s a lot of banter and I make some accessible, interesting characters. The characters and dialogue bring light and humor to the story.”
Especially popular already with those who read pre-publication editions is Mei’s favorite relative, her grandfather Laoye. The pot-smoking retired mechanic has survived many sad situations yet retains a quick-witted and cheerful disposition, dispensing wisdom in a converted family garage that has become his living quarters.
Exploring these characters and shining a light on the plight of Uyghurs provided an avenue for Frazier to provide a book that appeals to a large audience and also enlightens others.
“You are seeing a lot more Asian-American voices represented and more of a focus on Asian Americans,” Frazier said. “I wanted to write a book with an Asian American protagonist who doesn’t know about the homicides and horrors facing the Uyghurs, and have her learn about it.”
The more Frazier researched and interviewed people with knowledge of it, the more frightening the whole situation became to her. “For many people, it’s so easy to feel so helpless about it,” she noted. “But that made me even more dedicated to writing it and getting it out quickly.”
Popular publication
It all came together “very fast” in the world of fiction publishing, Frazier noted. She started the book in 2019, then secured an agent to sell the rights to it in 2020. Macmillan Publishing bought the rights in 2021 to come out under its Henry Holt imprint.
Frazier thinks the accessibility of the plot, in a familiar road-trip format, as well as the deep and engaging characters, “gave it an easy linear feel,” as the characters head east from Oakland to Syracuse, and then back again. She includes rich details on the communities, hotels and establishments they visit along the way, and the people they meet, to further make this world filled with well-meaning but flawed characters seem so realistic.
The reception has exceeded Frazier’s dreams. “Off the Books” appeared on multiple summer must-read lists, including The San Francisco Chronicle’s summer books "perfect to pore over" and Bustle’s summer "40 Most Anticipated Books," which noted the book as "an illuminating update of the classic American road trip story, equal parts uplifting and heartbreaking, and always mindful of the journey’s underlying danger."
Among other raves from authors and publications, the book earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, which called it “A vital, enthralling debut in which devastating social commentary is delivered with a wink.”
Frazier’s promotion of the novel includes a book launch tour with stops in multiple California cities, New York City and New England –- as well as local appearances at the River’s End Bookstore in downtown Oswego (6 p.m., Sept. 12) and Syracuse’s Parthenon Books (6 p.m., Sept. 14).
Given this interest and its wide publication, Frazier is not only open to the possibility of a movie version but already thought of this while assembling the book.
“It’s written in a three-act structure,” Frazier said. “I’m teaching some screenwriting classes and I do realize that this is something that could be adapted into a film.”
Lessons learned
Frazier said this experience also helps her impart some advice to her students who are looking to get into publishing.
“The craft elements of writing are what a lot of students expect their undergraduate creative writing major to focus on,” Frazier said. “Book publishing is such a different and difficult thing, and especially when you’re doing something for one of the big five publishing houses.”
But selling this to a major house like Macmillan is only part of the story she wants to share with students.
“I bring all my rejection letters to class,” Frazier said, noting that failing comes from trying as “the only sure statistic is that 100 percent of the books that people don’t write won’t get published.”
She also can discuss the process of agents and editors, and differences between indie publishers and mass-market ones.
“I share with students not only the craft of writing and literary devices but also the process and workshopping,” Frazier said. “I also can tell them about the pay structure, which is not as glamorous as many people would expect. It helps me set their expectations.”