Philosophical, Queer, Angry, Romantic, Defiant: 'Afterparties' Contains Multitudes
Anthony Veasna So died in December, but he lives on in the pages of this debut story collection — a vibrant, funny and unsparing look at the lives of Cambodian Americans in his California hometown.
Anthony Veasna So's debut story collection Afterparties contains multitudes, embodying both the author's Cambodian American heritage and his life-affirming worldview. The title alludes to the aftermath of war, the 1975 Khmer Rouge genocide — but also the idea of getting down with friends and family for a real celebration after some stuffy social event.
So died unexpectedly in December of 2020, but has left us with an indelible posse of "Cambos" from his hometown of Stockton, California. His people are philosophical, queer, angry, bossy, romantic, unfaithful, filial, and defiant survivors who
