A Korean American former child actress decides to branch out and stand out in order to pursue her newfound love — stand-up comedy. Here's another hilarious novel from the author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and What's Eating Jackie Oh?

They say Hollywood is like high school, and has-been child actor Ambrosia Lee feels like she’s at the bottom of the social ladder. Her acting career peaked at the age of eleven— then she was unceremoniously fired from her big break due to her weight. 

Now after years of rejections and backstabbing auditions, teenage Ambrosia turns to stand-up to speak her truth. It’s the perfect way to rant about everything that’s been bothering her: divorced parents dynamics, Asian stereotypes, and Hollywood drama. It also doesn't hurt that a cute boy is helping her learn the ropes of a comedy routine.

It’s all laughs…but comedy clubs can be just as toxic as the Hollywood complex she always mocks. 

Can Ambrosia be her true self both on and off the mic?

Patricia Park's humorous new novel explores the complicated worlds of Hollywood and comedy clubs, body image standards, and what it takes to succeed.
© Matthew Gilbertson
Patricia Park is a tenured professor of creative writing at American University, a Fulbright Scholar in Creative Arts, and a Jerome Hill Artist Fellow. Her debut YA novel, Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim, received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal and was an NPR Book of the Day. Her acclaimed adult novel Re Jane was named an Editors’ Choice by the New York Times Book Review; the winner of an American Library Association award; an O, The Oprah Magazine pick; and an NPR Fresh Air pick, among other honors. What’s Eating Jackie Oh? is inspired byher love of watching competitive TV cooking shows and creating somewhat edible meals from leftovers. It was also inspired by Patricia’s New York Times op-ed, “I’m Done Being Your Model Minority.”Patricia’s writing has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Guardian, Salon, and others. She lives in Brooklyn, New York View titles by Patricia Park

About

A Korean American former child actress decides to branch out and stand out in order to pursue her newfound love — stand-up comedy. Here's another hilarious novel from the author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and What's Eating Jackie Oh?

They say Hollywood is like high school, and has-been child actor Ambrosia Lee feels like she’s at the bottom of the social ladder. Her acting career peaked at the age of eleven— then she was unceremoniously fired from her big break due to her weight. 

Now after years of rejections and backstabbing auditions, teenage Ambrosia turns to stand-up to speak her truth. It’s the perfect way to rant about everything that’s been bothering her: divorced parents dynamics, Asian stereotypes, and Hollywood drama. It also doesn't hurt that a cute boy is helping her learn the ropes of a comedy routine.

It’s all laughs…but comedy clubs can be just as toxic as the Hollywood complex she always mocks. 

Can Ambrosia be her true self both on and off the mic?

Patricia Park's humorous new novel explores the complicated worlds of Hollywood and comedy clubs, body image standards, and what it takes to succeed.

Author

© Matthew Gilbertson
Patricia Park is a tenured professor of creative writing at American University, a Fulbright Scholar in Creative Arts, and a Jerome Hill Artist Fellow. Her debut YA novel, Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim, received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal and was an NPR Book of the Day. Her acclaimed adult novel Re Jane was named an Editors’ Choice by the New York Times Book Review; the winner of an American Library Association award; an O, The Oprah Magazine pick; and an NPR Fresh Air pick, among other honors. What’s Eating Jackie Oh? is inspired byher love of watching competitive TV cooking shows and creating somewhat edible meals from leftovers. It was also inspired by Patricia’s New York Times op-ed, “I’m Done Being Your Model Minority.”Patricia’s writing has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Guardian, Salon, and others. She lives in Brooklyn, New York View titles by Patricia Park

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