Author R.F. Kuang faces backlash over Israeli character in upcoming novel

(JNS) — Bestselling author R.F. Kuang is facing online backlash after advance copies of her forthcoming novel, “Taipei Story,” included a brief reference to an Israeli character.

Kuang, the Chinese American author of “Yellowface” and “Babel,” withdrew in December from the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, held in Dubai in January, citing a call by the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee to boycott the United Arab Emirates over alleged involvement in “the mass atrocities in Sudan.”

“I have always respected organized calls for boycotts against genocide from co...