The Words, February 2016

Introducing Ed Bok Lee

Josh Weiner ’16

The English Department is further bolstering its ranks of superb visiting faculty this semester. Professor Ed Bok Lee brings an impressive resume of publications, accolades, and interests to the Department, where he is teaching an evening poetry crafts course. Professor Lee attended kindergarten in South Korea, grew up in the Upper Midwest, and attended undergraduate institutions in California, Kazakhstan, and Minnesota. After graduating he attended Brown University and received an MFA.

Professor Lee, an author, playwright, and poet, is widely published in many genres. His most recent book, Whorled, “looks toward a global future, one where the dividing lines between state, religion, race, history, and culture have been blurred to the extent that the very idea of difference requires a new understanding.” Published in August of 2011 by Coffee House Press in Minneapolis, the volume asks what it means “to be a Global Citizen in an era of constant war, rampant industrialization, and ever-advancing technology.” The book won critical acclaim, including an American Book Award, a Minnesota Book Award, and glowing reviews from the Smithsonian Institute’s BookDragon project and luminary poet Sherman Alexie. Similarly, Professor Lee’s first book, titled Real Karaoke People, was awarded a PEN Open Book Award and an Asian American Literary Award after its publication in 2006. His other poetry and prose has been published widely in journals and magazines, and his plays have been performed both locally – at the legendary Guthrie Theater and the Walker Art Center, nationally – at the Joseph Papp Public Theater and the New York Theater Workshop, and internationally – at the Taipai Theater in Taiwan.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Professor Lee to the Department; say hello if you see him around and check out his colorful webpage here.