April 30, 2019 “Crazy Rich Asians” Author at the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress will present a conversation with Singaporean American novelist and changemaker Kevin Kwan, known for his satirical novels “Crazy Rich Asians,” “China Rich Girlfriend” and “Rich People Problems,” who seeks to introduce contemporary Asian culture to an American audience. This event is presented as part of the Library’s Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month programming. 

Kwan will discuss the success of his best selling book trilogy along with the box office hit “Crazy Rich Asians,” the screenplay of which is based on his 2013 novel of the same name, on Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the historic Coolidge Auditorium in the Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C. The event is free, but tickets are required. For tickets to the talk, visit this ticketing site: LOCKwan.eventbrite.com.

The event will also be live-streamed on the Library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/libraryofcongress and its YouTube site (with captions) at youtube.com/LOC.

Copies of Kwan’s works will be available for purchase and signing after the event.

A free pre-event screening of “Crazy Rich Asians” will begin at 4 p.m. For tickets, please visit this ticketing site: LOCcrazyrichasians.eventbrite.com.

Kwan grew up in Singapore until his family moved to Texas. After getting his degree in creative writing from the University of Houston (1994), Kwan headed to New York, where he earned his BFA from Parsons School of Design and began a career in publishing. After ten years as a designer, Kwan wrote his first novel, “Crazy Rich Asians,” followed by “China Rich Girlfriend” in 2015, and “Rich People Problems” in 2017.In 2018, Kwan’s change making efforts were recognized with his inclusion in TIME 100’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The Library of Congress is inviting visitors to Explore America’s Changemakers in 2019 through a series of exhibitions, events and programs. Exhibitions drawing from the Library’s collections will explore the fight for women’s suffrage, Rosa Parks’ groundbreaking role in civil rights history and artists’ responses to major issues of the day. Other events throughout the year will explore changemakers through music, performances and public programs. 

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The Library of Congress is part of a collaborative of cultural institutions that pay tribute to the generations of Asian/Pacific Americans who have made to American history, society and culture. Visit the collaborative’s web portal at asianpacificheritage.gov.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.