Esther Yi at Marie-Kahle-Gesamtschule in Bonn

On March 20 and 21, 2024, Esther Yi led a workshop at Marie-Kahle-Gesamtschule in Bonn, spanning two days. At the beginning of the workshop, Esther introduced herself and delved into the themes of writing and reading, focusing on the concept of the soul. She prompted students to reflect on moments when they felt a profound connection, emphasizing detailed descriptions of emotions and thoughts. In the subsequent session, discussions centered on students‘ perceptions of the USA, revealing a mix of fascination with American culture and skepticism towards its political landscape. Despite differing viewpoints, students engaged openly and showed curiosity towards diverse perspectives.

Esther Yi was born in Los Angeles in 1989. She is the author of Y/N. Her debut novel deals with the universal longing for transcendence and the tragic struggle to assert one’s singular story amidst the amnesiac effects of globalization. Esther Yi’s prose unsettles the boundary between high and mass art, exploding expectations of a novel about identity and offering in its place a sui generis picture of the loneliness that afflicts modern life.

Y/N was a Finalist for the 2023 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, a New York Times Book Review Notable Book of 2023, a New Yorker Best Book of 2023 (Essential Read), and a TIME Must-Read Book of 2023. Her reportage and criticism have appeared in The Atlantic, Cinema Scope, Bookforum, and other publications. She currently lives in Leipzig.

Photography: Anna Feurle for Holtzbrinck Berlin.