Sesshu Foster

Sesshu Foster is a Japanese-American poet and novelist known for his works exploring social justice, racial identity, and the urban landscape of Los Angeles' East Side. His writing draws heavily from his experiences growing up in the predominantly Chicano neighborhood of City Terrace during the politically charged 1960s and 70s. Foster's published works include the hybrid genre book "City Terrace Field Manual," the dystopian novel "Atomik Aztex," and "World Ball Notebook," a collection that earned the American Book Award and the Asian American Literary Award for Poetry. His experimental style often combines poetry, prose, and elements of magical realism to address themes of gentrification, community, and cultural identity. As an educator, Foster has maintained a significant presence in East Los Angeles, teaching composition and literature since 1985 at Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School. His academic career also includes teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop, California Institute of the Arts, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Prior to his writing and teaching career, Foster worked as a firefighter in Colorado's Rocky Mountains and Wyoming, experiences that occasionally surface in his creative work. His deep connection to Los Angeles' East Side continues to influence his writing, which often documents and examines the changing urban landscape of his home territory.

Readers praise Foster's unique portrayal of East Los Angeles and his experimental writing style that blends genres. Many note his ability to capture the complexity of urban life and cultural intersections. On Goodreads, readers frequently mention the authenticity of his voice and his skill at weaving historical elements with surreal narrative techniques. Particular praise focuses on "Atomik Aztex," with readers highlighting its challenging but rewarding structure. One reader called it "a mind-bending exploration of alternate history." His poetry collections receive recognition for their raw emotional impact and vivid imagery of Los Angeles landscapes. Some readers struggle with Foster's non-linear narratives and dense writing style. Multiple reviews mention difficulty following plot threads and keeping track of characters, particularly in "Atomik Aztex." Several note his work requires multiple readings to fully grasp. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Atomik Aztex": 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) - "City Terrace Field Manual": 4.1/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon: - Average author rating: 4.0/5 - Most books have 15-30 reviews each

City Terrace Field Manual (1996) A hybrid collection of poetry and prose documenting life in East Los Angeles' City Terrace neighborhood through personal observations and historical accounts.

Atomik Aztex (2005) A speculative fiction novel set in an alternate reality where the Aztecs defeated the Spanish and established a global empire.

American Loneliness (2006) A poetry collection examining isolation and community in contemporary American urban landscapes.

World Ball Notebook (2009) A collection of poetry and prose pieces exploring global cultures and social justice through the lens of sports and games.

City of the Future (2018) A mixed-genre work combining poetry and prose to chronicle the changing landscape of Los Angeles' East Side communities.

ELADATL: A History of the East Los Angeles Dirigible Air Transport Lines (2021) A fictional historical account presented as a documentary about an imagined airship transit system in East Los Angeles.

Karen Tei Yamashita writes experimental novels about Asian American and Latin American experiences that blend magical realism with social commentary. Her work "I Hotel" explores similar themes of community activism and cultural identity as Foster's writing, focusing on Asian American movements in San Francisco's Chinatown.

Salvador Plascencia creates surreal narratives set in Southern California that merge Mexican-American experiences with experimental storytelling techniques. His novel "The People of Paper" shares Foster's interest in blending reality with fantasy while examining immigrant communities in Los Angeles.

Alejandro Morales writes about the Mexican-American experience in Southern California, particularly focusing on East Los Angeles. His novels document the urban landscape and social dynamics of Los Angeles in ways that parallel Foster's attention to City Terrace and its surroundings.

Nina Revoyr chronicles Los Angeles neighborhoods and interracial relationships through multiple historical periods. Her work examines similar themes of racial identity and urban change that appear in Foster's writing, with novels like "Southland" focusing on specific Los Angeles communities.

Charles Yu combines elements of science fiction with Asian American experiences and identity exploration. His experimental approach to form and structure, as seen in "Interior Chinatown," reflects Foster's willingness to break conventional narrative boundaries while addressing racial and cultural themes.