Susan Barker is a British novelist known for her richly layered narratives that blend historical and contemporary themes. Born in 1978 to an English father and a Chinese-Malaysian mother, she grew up in East London, an upbringing that informs her multicultural perspective. Her debut novel, "Sayonara Bar," was praised by Time magazine for its sharp cultural observations and inventive storytelling. She followed this with "The Orientalist and the Ghost," both of which were longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize.
Barker's third novel, "The Incarnations," marked a significant milestone in her career. Set in modern-day Beijing and interwoven with tales spanning Chinese history - from the Tang dynasty to the Cultural Revolution - the book was acclaimed as a New York Times Editors’ Choice and Notable Book. It also earned a spot on Kirkus Reviews’ Top Ten Books of the Year and was shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize for Fiction. Barker spent several years in Beijing researching the novel, reflecting her commitment to immersive storytelling.
Her fourth novel, "Old Soul," garnered further recognition when an excerpt won a Northern Writers’ Award for Fiction in 2020. Currently based in Manchester, Barker serves as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University, balancing her teaching career with her literary pursuits. Her works continue to explore themes of identity, history, and cultural intersection.