Debut AAPI Stories: Davin Malasarn's 'The Outer Country'

In this episode of All of It, host Alison Stewart interviews debut novelist Davin Malasarn about his deeply personal novel, *The Outer Country*, which draws from his own life experiences. The story follows two estranged sisters, Manda and Sirupan, separated by geography and circumstance—Manda remaining in Thailand while Sirupan emigrates to the U.S.—and explores the lasting impact of a traumatic Buddhist exorcism performed on Manda’s nephew Ben, who displays gender-nonconforming behavior as a child. Malasarn, a former scientist turned writer and co-founder of the Granum Foundation, shares how writing the novel became a process of reconciliation with his family’s past and a way to understand the well-intentioned but harmful decisions made by loved ones. He reflects on his journey from a reluctant writer to a storyteller, emphasizing authenticity, emotional honesty, and the power of multiple perspectives in crafting a nuanced family saga. Malasarn discusses the novel’s polyphonic structure, its exploration of cultural dislocation, intergenerational trauma, and the psychological manifestation of repression. He underscores the importance of empathy and listening in a polarized world, positioning the book as a meditation on forgiveness and understanding. The episode closes with Malasarn’s advice to aspiring writers: release your work into the world before it’s perfect, and trust that growth comes through iteration. The conversation is both intimate and universal, blending memoir, fiction, and cultural commentary to create a resonant narrative about identity, family, and healing.