R.F. Kuang

Kuang

 

 

Rebecca F. Kuang is the award-winning, #1 New York Times best-selling author of the acclaimed fantasy series, The Poppy War trilogy, and 2022’s Babel: An Arcane History, one of the year’s most acclaimed novels. Babel debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list, and is set in an alternate 19th century where the professional work of translation generates magic that fuels and perpetuates an imperialist empire. In a review, The New York Times Book Review said the book “has earned tremendous praise and deserves all of it.” The book was named a top book of 2022 by Amazon, Kirkus Reviews, NPR, The Washington Post, and many more outlets.

Kuang is a Marshall Scholar who has an Master of Philosophy degree in Chinese Studies from Cambridge University, and a Master of Science degree in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures from Yale University. Her upcoming novel, Yellowface, being released in May, is one of the most anticipated novels of 2023.

Event Info

  • Admission is free.
  • Doors open at 6:00 PM.
  • Seating is first-come, first-served.
  • Free parking is available:
    • In the Des Moines Public Library parking garage, located on Grand Ave.
    • On the surface lot on the corner of 10th St. and Grand Ave., across from the library.
  • At the end of the program, there will be a question and answer period. A book signing will follow.
  • Books will be available to purchase before and after the program courtesy of Beaverdale Books.