Stay True

A deeply moving memoir about growing up in the 90s, written in the wake of the senseless killing of a beloved friend.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Memoir.

One of The New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

"A quiet, occasionally hilarious, ultimately devastating book . . . the most moving and memorable piece of autobiography I read this year." – The Independent, "The Ten Best Books of 2023"

"A powerful and beautifully written meditation on guilt, memory and male friendship" – The Guardian, "Best Books of the Year"

When Hua Hsu first meets Ken in a Berkeley college dorm room, he feels immediate disdain. Ken is a frat boy with appalling taste in music, embodying mainstream culture that Hua, an avid indie music fan and zine maker, deeply despises. Hua Hsu, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, and Ken, whose Japanese American family has been in the US for generations, seemingly share little in common, especially in how they navigate American society that sidelines both of them in different ways.

Despite his initial reservations, Hua discovers an unexpected bond forming with Ken. Their friendship blossoms over late-night smoke breaks, long drives along the sun-dappled California coast, and the shared highs and lows of student life. This friendship is a source of solace and growth, cemented by candid conversations and mutual understanding. Tragically, this harmonious companionship is abruptly shattered when Ken is senselessly killed in a carjacking, cutting short the life of someone who had become an essential part of Hua's world.

Stay True captures the essence of a coming-of-age story prematurely ended, painting a poignant portrait of a deep and transformative friendship. Hsu's intimate memoir beautifully explores themes of identity, loss, and the quest for belonging. Through evocative prose, Hsu delves into the complexities of guilt, memory, and male camaraderie, offering readers an introspective look into the formation of his identity amidst personal tragedy.

Acclaimed for its narrative depth and emotional resonance, Stay True stands as one of the most compelling works on friendship and self-discovery in contemporary literature.

"One of the best nonfiction books about friendship ever, right up there with Patti Smith’s Just Kids" – The Atlantic