When it comes to advocating for inclusive and diverse storytelling, some may pin acts of progress towards big wins, like law changes or firsts. While those acts are essential when working towards a more progressive society, Mai Nguyen highlights the everyday resilience racialized communities embark on and champions humour and feel-good storytelling to unpack heavier topics.
In her debut novel, Sunshine Nails, Nguyen tells the story of the Trans, a Vietnamese Canadian multi-generational family fighting to keep their no-frills salon alive. Throughout the novel, the Trans experience daunting challenges like a shiny new competitor moving across from them and raising rent prices, all whilst trying to provide their customers with nails as sharp as their wit.
The Trans are resilient, moving as a unit to combat their issues. But their biggest weapon? Their light-hearted approach to adversity.
“It was really fun writing about the Trans as it came naturally to me that they were going to be a silly and loving bunch,” Nguyen tells RepresentASIAN Project. “I didn’t want them to be completely serious. Of course, the struggles and issues they’re facing are serious. But they themselves are humorous and a little bit messy.”
“I really wanted to subvert the model minority myth. I didn’t want them to be portrayed as perfect, hardworking, determined people.”
Nguyen shares the importance of a lighthearted lens when it comes to expanding the ever-growing repertoire of Asian and racialized stories in media, especially when a vast majority of stories are driven by heavier narratives.
“As touching and real as those stories are, I think there’s a time and place for that. So many of those stories have already been written and it makes space for more contemporary stories like mine to be written,” explains Nguyen. “We’ve already talked about being displaced from the war [and] all the trauma that comes with that and I think there’s room now to talk about contemporary struggles that people face. Yes, they’re not fighting poverty, or famine, or war anymore, but instead challenges like rising rents, generational differences with their kids and gentrification in their neighbourhood. I think it’s important to showcase that because it highlights that after immigrants come over, the story doesn’t end there.”
“I really wanted to subvert the model minority myth. I didn’t want them to be portrayed as perfect, hardworking, determined people.”
Nguyen doesn’t let the heaviness of external factors like gentrification and racism drive the entirety of Trans’ story, but rather uses it as a starting point to unpack more nuanced experiences pertinent to being Asian like the similarities and differences of intergenerational family experiences.
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and the sentiment is true when exploring the career trajectory of Phil and Debbie, the first-generation immigrants of this story, and Dustin and Jessica, their children. Despite Jessica and Dustin obtaining higher degrees of education than their parents, they experience similar systemic barriers due to race.
“I think there’s room now to talk about contemporary struggles that people face. Yes, they’re not fighting poverty, or famine, or war anymore, but instead challenges like rising rents, generational differences with their kids and gentrification in their neighbourhood. I think it’s important to showcase that because it highlights that after immigrants come over, the story doesn’t end there.”
“I want to show the differences between those generations against the backdrop of work and labour. You can see Phil and Debbie are wholly indebted to their jobs. They’re so grateful to have this job, they’re willing to bend over backwards and work late into the night to get the job done. But when it comes to their kids, they’re a bit more critical about their careers,” says Nguyen.
This is seen in Dustin’s storyline—though he has a good job in tech that pays well, has great benefits, and gives him the weekends off, he feels bogged down by the workload (and an overdue promotion). Phil has a harder time seeing his son’s point-of-view: he sees Dustin as lucky to have found a well-paying job, to have gotten an education and for being able to do work that doesn’t require him to literally bend over for customers.
The differentiating points of view in Sunshine Nails serve as a reminder that Asian stories are multi-dimensional and that extraordinary lessons can come from exploring everyday occurrences. Nguyen spotlights the life of a determined Vietnamese Canadian family and focuses equal amounts on the joys they encounter whilst not undermining their challenges. It strengthens the narrative that being racialized isn’t sad. It doesn’t ask for pity from readers but rather for those to reflect on their consideration for others in the community as a stepping stone to true equity.
Sunshine Nails champions community resilience and highlights the nuances of the Asian experience. With her urgent yet light-hearted contemporary storytelling, Nguyen proves that no matter how heavy the world may feel at times, you can always lighten the load with a laugh – or two.
Sunshine Nails is available now wherever books are sold.
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