Alien Nation

the long version

"Originally told on-stage and adapted here for the page, these 36 fascinating, unique, and celebratory stories of migration, culture shock, family, and life come from well-known voices including Sonia Manzano, Alexander Chee, Andre Aciman, Laura Go mez, Aparna Nancherla as well as regular people hailing from every corner of the world. The past and present of immigration in the United States springs to life in this anthology of stories compiled and edited by "This Alien Nation" host and author Sofija Stefanovic. These stories, originally performed on stage, are sometimes painful, often funny, beautiful, but above all honest and enlightening. The writers-some of them well-known figures such as Alexander Chee and Aparna Nancherla, others regular (read: fascinating) people hailing from every corner of the world-share moments from their lives, reminding us that immigration is not simply a word but a world, "alien" and throbbing with talent and potential. ALIEN NATION is a balm, a link through human stories, and a celebration of immigration at a turbulent time. Grab your popcorn, imagine yourself in Joe's Pub (one of the best-known stages in New York City with seating as comfy as your couch), and dig into these real experiences and inner thoughts of immigrants and children of immigrants; those who left in search of newness, opportunity, and survival, and those who grew up in that newness with their tongues in multiple languages and feet in multiple worlds"--