PP Wong
This year, the great Canadian book debate is looking for one book to build bridges.
Stories connect us to different people, places and perspectives. The collection of titles for 2026 showcase the power storytelling has to inspire, connect and grow — together.
"We’ve seen mass book-bannings in Alberta and a leader south of the border who has called himself a “king.” If the best dystopian fiction reflects the world we live in, Vancouver-based author PP Wong’s second novel does this with one chilling introductory line.
Thankfully, the author’s coming-of-age story lives up to its opening, with strong world-building and characters you can actually care about."
"Grief and loss play a significant role in moulding the protagonist Fred, just as they do for all of us.
I wanted readers to see that process, how difficult experiences can carve out both strength and vulnerability in a person. Fred isn’t smooth-edged or easily defined; he’s complex, sometimes contradictory, and that’s what makes him real to me."
Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction: Strong longlist includes Anne Tyler, Sarah Waters, Ali Smith and PP Wong
The prize celebrates “excellence, originality and accessibility in writing by women in English from throughout the world”.
It is revealing in its exploration of cultural and generational conflicts and moving in its optimism.
"PP Wong opens up about racial bullying, tiger mums and her debut novel - all part of growing up within the British-born Chinese community."
"The Life of a Banana can make people think in intimate and silent reflection. What we are all called to do is essentially understand that there must not be any form of judgment or condemnation of those who look different. We need tolerance and full acceptance without any prejudice, which makes us more human... "
"La vita secondo Banana può far riflettere e nella riflessione intima e silenziosa che tutti noi siamo chiamati a compiere è indispensabile comprendere che non deve esistere alcuna forma di giudizio o di condanna nei confronti di chi appare diverso, ma si deve utilizzare una forma di tolleranza e di accoglienza piene, prive di qualsiasi pregiudizio, che ci rendano più umani..."
The Life of a Banana featured in Vanity Fair
"นักเขียนชาวจีนสัญชาติอังกฤษ พีพี หว่อง (PP Wong) เจ้าของผลงาน The Life of a Banana บรรณาธิการของ Banana Writers ปัจจุบันพำนักอยู่สิงคโปร์ แนะนำ 5 เคล็ดลับเพื่อเอาชนะการถูกปฏิเสธจากสำนักพิมพ์และการเหยียดเชื้อชาติในระบบอุตสาหกรรมหนังสือ"
PP Wong featured in The Bangkok Post
Note: Interview contains some spoilers.
“Humour is most important in dark times because you’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself, and at any negative things that happen, to be able to move on.”
BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour is a popular radio show that has close to 3.9 million daily listeners. The show has reports, interviews and debates on health, education, cultural and political topics.
Don't miss PP Wong's interview with Radio 4 as she tackles the themes in The Life of a Banana and shares her experiences of being a novelist.
4* review and selected as "focus book" of the month for Marie Claire, Italy
"Yes, Writer’s Block is my bookish bespectacled mugger waiting round the corner to steal my words ready to strike at any time.
Read the whole interview on Quarterly Literary Review Singapore
BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster - broadcasting news, speech and discussions in 28 languages to many parts of the world.
Don't miss PP Wong's interview with BBC World Service as she talks about the "hidden British Chinese community" and why she wrote The Life of a Banana.
Who is your favourite female book character/heroine and why?
I adore the feisty, redhead Anne from Anne of Green Gables. She started out as an underdog – an orphan who nobody wanted. But then she evolved into a strong, resilient woman who was unashamed about achieving her dreams despite what anyone told her.
"RTHK Radio 3 is proud to present The Hong Kong International Literary Festival 2015. This year we will talk to famous writers globally and locally to discuss their work and writing. And we will also attend their events and bring you the highlights. Don’t miss it!"
The Straits Times is the largest English-language daily broadsheet newspaper in Singapore.
"Hive are very passionate about all kinds of books and especially passionate about discovering new authors and having the opportunity to share them with you."
PP Wong selected as one of the rising writers for Hive.co.uk