First Name Second Name (Steve MinOn, UQP)

In Steve MinOn’s debut novel, First Name Second Name, the story spans four generations of the Chinese Australian Bolin family, whose roots in Australia date back to the late 19th century. MinOn explores how heritage, identity and belonging evolve over decades by shifting across timelines and perspectives. At the heart of the novel is Stephen, portrayed as a jiangshi – an undead corpse (from Chinese folklore) that forms when a soul refuses to leave a dead body. From his unique vantage point ‘in the watershed between life and death’, Stephen witnesses his family’s histories, confronts estrangements and struggles with his sexuality. The dual timelines are a standout feature, allowing readers to meet Stephen’s ancestors – the novel’s ensemble cast – and uncover their complex stories. A personal favourite is Bridget Bolin, the stoic and free-spirited character who tries to hold onto her Anglo-Saxon identity even as she marries her Chinese husband. In a defining moment, she merges her Chinese groom’s first name, Bo, and his second name, Lin, to create the more Western-sounding ‘Bolin’. This seemingly small change lays the foundation for Stephen’s identity reckoning, ultimately helping his soul find rest. First Name Second Name won the 2023 Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer in the Queensland Literary Awards, and offers a fresh spin on the classic immigrant’s tale for readers interested in a blend of historical fiction and mythological fantasy. Offering dark humour and a richly woven plot, MinOn has broken away from the folds, establishing himself as an emerging writer to watch.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Eman Mourad is an Australian-Egyptian emerging writer based on Gadigal land. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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