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Author Tash Aw Explores Love and Climate in The South

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Tash Aw, a Malaysian author, discusses his coming-of-age novel The South, exploring desire, duty, and family dynamics.
Set in 1990s Malaysia, the book portrays a society with homophobic laws and visible queer communities.
Aw also examines the impact of climate change on migration in Southeast Asia.
He discusses the challenges and rewards of pursuing an ambitious literary project.

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Story summary

Tash Aw, a Malaysian author, discusses his coming-of-age novel The South, exploring desire, duty, and family dynamics.
Set in 1990s Malaysia, the book portrays a society with homophobic laws and visible queer communities.
Aw also examines the impact of climate change on migration in Southeast Asia.
He discusses the challenges and rewards of pursuing an ambitious literary project.