Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye
graphic-novel· Singapore

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye

by Sonny Liew
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2015English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

When Sonny Liew published The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye in 2015, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of graphic-novel. This graphic novel is a unique blend of art and storytelling, chronicling the life of a fictional comic artist, Charlie Chan Hock Chye, against the backdrop of Singapore's history. Through its innovative narrative and visual style, the book offers a critical and humorous look at the country's political and social evolution. It has been praised for its creativity and depth, winning several awards and gaining international recognition. Themes of history, politics, art run through the work. The book has received recognition from Eisner Award 2017.

Book Details

AuthorSonny Liew
Published2015
Country of Origin🇸🇬 Singapore
LanguageEnglish
Categorygraphic-novel
ISBN9781101870693
Editorial Score30/100
Country of Origin

🇸🇬 Singapore

This book is part of Singapore's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Singapore →

Editorial Assessment

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye by Sonny Liew sits within the tradition of graphic-novel that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2015 in Singapore, it engages with history, politics, art, identity in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Eisner Award 2017. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of history, politics, art, identity is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Singapore's literary landscape, Sonny Liew occupies a significant position. The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · global
20160
✍️
About the Author
Sonny Liew
Singapore
View Author →

Sonny Liew is a Singapore author whose work in graphic-novel has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Life & Times of Michael K
literary-fiction

Life & Times of Michael K

J.M. Coetzee· 1983
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score60/100
Cover of Black Moses
literary-fiction

Black Moses

Alain Mabanckou· 2015
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score55/100
Cover of Анна Каренина
literary-fiction

Анна Каренина

Лев Толстой· 1876
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score55/100
Cover of The Jungle
literary-fiction

The Jungle

Upton Sinclair· 1791
Library Journal
Editorial Score55/100
Cover of The Orchard of Lost Souls
historical-fiction

The Orchard of Lost Souls

Nadifa Mohamed· 2013
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score53/100
Cover of The Italian
historical-fiction

The Italian

Shukri Mabkhout· 2014
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score53/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye about?

This graphic novel is a unique blend of art and storytelling, chronicling the life of a fictional comic artist, Charlie Chan Hock Chye, against the backdrop of Singapore's history. Through its innovative narrative and visual style, the book offers a critical and humorous look at the country's political and social evolution. It has been praised for its creativity and depth, winning several awards and gaining international recognition.

Who wrote The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye?

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye was written by Sonny Liew, from Singapore. First published in 2015.

What awards has The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye won?

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye has received the following recognition: Eisner Award 2017.

Is The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye worth reading?

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in history, politics, art.

Where can I buy The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye?

You can buy The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye?

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye is classified as graphic-novel.

What country is The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye from?

The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye originates from Singapore's literary tradition. Explore more books from Singapore on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📚More graphic-novelBrowse all graphic-novel books🇸🇬Books from Singapore🇸🇬 Singapore literature📅2010s BooksPublished in the 2010s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time