Denise Chong

Denise Chong is an award-winning author whose works illuminate the lives of ordinary individuals navigating extraordinary historical circumstances. She is best known for her acclaimed family memoir, "The Concubine’s Children," which explores her Chinese-Canadian heritage, as well as "The Girl in the Picture," a gripping account of the iconic napalm girl photograph from the Vietnam War. Her third notable work, "Egg on Mao," delves into themes of love and resistance during China's Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.

Chong's writing is distinguished by its meticulous research and empathetic portrayal of personal stories set against pivotal historical moments. Her works often bridge cultural divides, offering nuanced perspectives on identity, resilience, and the human cost of political upheaval. Based in Ottawa, she continues to contribute to literary and historical discourse through her deeply immersive narratives.
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 The Girl in the Picture: The Story of Kim Phuc 2001
2 Egg on Mao: The Story of an Ordinary Man Who Defaced an Icon and Unmasked a Dictatorship 2009
3 Lives of the Family: Stories of Fate and Circumstance 2013
4 The Concubine's Children 2014
5 Out of Darkness: Rumana Monzur's Journey through Betrayal, Tyranny and Abuse 2024
Denise Chong Anthologies
# Title Year
1 The Penguin Anthology of Stories By Canadian Women 1998
2 Finding the Words 2011