Memory and identity in the context of Chinese Australian novels

Literature on migration experiences normally has one of two axes: either it is oriented towards the homeland or it is oriented towards the host land. Inspired by the "transnational turn" in global literature, this essay discusses representations of memory and identity in Chinese-Australian novels, especially those written in English and published between 1990 and 2010. This period saw the publication of the best examples of Chinese-Australian literary works, which have yet to be explored in an in-depth manner. In these novels, traumatic experiences in the homeland, confusion about the issue of belonging, and unforgettable memories are highlighted as key characteristics of Chinese- Australian literature. Memory and identity are of particular interest in Chinese-Australian literature not only because such literature is based on the authors' consideration of their real or imagined pasts, but also because the issues of identity and belonging are closely associated with the concept of memory.