Stay True

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From New Yorker staff writer Hua Hsu comes a gripping memoir that explores friendship, grief, self-discovery, and the solace found in art. At 18, Hua sees Ken—who embodies mainstream culture through his love for Dave Matthews and fraternity life—as everything he opposes. Ken, a Japanese American from a long-established family, represents the conformity that Hua, a first-generation Taiwanese American with a passion for 'zines and record shops, resists. Despite their differences, they forge a deep friendship through late-night talks, coastal drives, and the ups and downs of college life. Tragically, Ken's life is cut short when he is killed in a carjacking, just three years after their initial meeting. In the wake of this loss, Hua channels his grief into writing, aiming to preserve Ken's memory. This memoir captures the complexities of growing up and the search for meaning and belonging in a world that often feels unwelcoming. Stay True is a poignant coming-of-age narrative that intertwines the ordinary with the extraordinary, reflecting on the profound impact of friendship and the enduring quest for identity.