Louis Hing Chu (雷霆超) (October 1, 1915 – 1970) was an American writer who was a pioneer of

Asian American literature Asian American literature is the body of literature produced in the United States by writers of Asian descent. Asian American literature became a category during the 1970s but didn't see a direct impact in viewership until later in the 1970s. Perhap ...

. His only published work is the 1961 novel ''

Eat a Bowl of Tea ''Eat a Bowl of Tea'' is a 1961 novel by Louis Chu. It was the first Chinese American novel set in Chinese America. Because of its portrayal of the "bachelor society" in New York's Chinatown after World War II, it has become an important wor ...

.'' After emigrating to New Jersey from Taishan, China, Chu completed his high school education and received a bachelor's degree from Upsala College and a master's degree in sociology from New York University. Aside from writing, Chu worked for the New York City's Department of Welfare and worked as the disc jockey for the ''Chinese Festival'' radio program on New York's

WHOM WHOM (94.9 FM, "94.9 HOM") is an American radio station which airs an adult contemporary radio format. WHOM is owned by Townsquare Media and transmits from atop Mount Washington in New Hampshire, its community of license. Mount Washington is ...

-AM. He appeared on the April 2, 1961 episode of the television program '' What's My Line?'', identifying his occupation as a disc jockey, concurrent with the release of his book ''Eat a Bowl of Tea''.Archived a
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Chu died in 1970 leaving behind his wife, four children and three grandchildren. Although ''Eat a Bowl of Tea'' was published in 1961, Chu never witnessed the impact of his novel because it was not well-received by critics at the time. It wasn't until the novel was republished in 1979 that it was acknowledged as a pioneering contribution to Asian American literature.

References

* Chan, Jeffery. Introduction. ''Eat a Bowl of Tea.'' University of Washington Press. * Shih, David. "Eat a Bowl of Tea by Louis Chu." ''A Resource Guide to Asian American Literature''. 46 {{DEFAULTSORT:Chu, Louis Hing 1970 deaths 1915 births American novelists of Chinese descent Upsala College alumni 20th-century American novelists American male novelists Chinese emigrants to the United States 20th-century American male writers