The Many Meanings of Mei Lan

“Just blend in”- words that she heard several times drove the author Andrea Wang to explore the idea of identity. The Many Meanings of Meilan speaks about the journey of a girl named Meilan who is forced to leave the safe embrace of Chinatown in Boston and to ?blend in? in the predominantly white fictionalized Ohio town of Redbud. Meilan must adopt an anglicized name to be welcomed into her surroundings. She develops a coping mechanism to deal with the racism she faces by fracturing herself into many Meilans. Through the stunning narrative the reader is engaged while grieving in the injustices and rejoicing in her courage to find the strength to bring her many selves together.