The enduring allure of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”—that quintessential exploration of forbidden love—has been reimagined countless times across centuries, its fundamental tensions remaining stubbornly relevant despite our supposed social progress. Now Jennifer Chen, with her debut novel “Hangry Hearts” (Macmillan), shifts the feuding Montagues and Capulets to the seemingly genteel but surprisingly competitive world of California farmers markets, where culinary cultures clash with delicious consequences.
Chen, who will appear in conversation with author Edward Underhill at Vroman’s Bookstore on March 19th at seven o’clock, has crafted what might be described as a gastronomic tragedy-turned-romance.
Her protagonists, once childhood companions, now find themselves heirs to competing food stalls—inheritors of generational grievances simmered to perfection over decades.
The novel, to be released on March 20th, examines how cultural identity becomes inextricably linked with cuisine, and how the simple act of breaking bread—or, in this case, sharing dumplings across enemy lines—might begin to heal wounds that run deeper than either young lover initially comprehends.
In the tranquil, oak-lined streets of Pasadena, a city more commonly associated with the genteel pageantry of the Rose Parade than with simmering family feuds, Chen has discovered fertile ground for exploring how passion—both romantic and culinary—might transcend the boundaries we inherit rather than choose.
“I read Rome and Juliet in high school and it studied it, and I always thought it was such a sad story. It is a tragedy, one of his tragedies. And I thought when I was approaching this story that it might be fun to use the dynamics of romance Julia, but make it a comedy,” Chen said in a recent interview.
The novel follows Julie Wu and Randall Hur as they navigate familial expectations, cultural identity, and a budding romance against the backdrop of the local farmers market. Unlike Shakespeare’s tragedy, Chen’s adaptation removes the fatal ending, replacing it with a food poisoning incident that brings the feuding families together.
“I wanted the poisoning to be a food poisoning from food and that it would be something that wouldn’t kill ’em, but kind of force the families to be together at the hospital. But also I think it’s really lovely when someone takes care of you when you’re sick. And I think that really shows who they are and how much they love you,” Chen explained.
“Hangry Hearts” explores themes of bicultural identity, intergenerational expectations in immigrant families, cross-cultural romance, and the significance of food as a symbol of heritage and connection. The novel also delves into issues of loyalty, tradition, and self-determination, challenging characters and readers alike to navigate personal identity in the face of societal expectations.
Chen revealed that her inspiration came from her own experiences at local farmers markets. “I actually came up with the idea for this book while standing online for one of a food stand, Dave’s Korean food stand and at Water Village. And it made me think like, oh gosh, that’s such a great way to know LA is to go to the farmer’s markets,” she shared.
The novel incorporates real Pasadena locations, including the Labyrinth in Arlington Garden. Chen intentionally set the story between one Lunar New Year celebration and the next to highlight the cultural significance of traditional foods.
“Yeah. I set this book between one lunar New Year to the next. And to me, the reason why was that Lunar New Year food is really special. There’s certain things that you eat during lunar New Year’s celebrations, and to me that was something that’s culturally specific to different Asian cultures,” Chen said. “So I just wanted to share my love for Lu New Year with readers, but specifically through the food that we eat.”
The novel also features representation of diverse identities, including an Asian American transgender teen character. “I purposely wanted to have an Asian American trans boy character. I myself am not queer, I’m not trans, but I knew I have friends and family who are transgender. And I felt like I didn’t see that kind of representation in books in ya,” Chen noted. “I want anyone who picks it up to see themselves, whether or not they are transgender or whether or not they’re queer, but just to find commonalities with someone who you may not think you have anything would come with.”
Chen chose Pasadena as the setting due to her love for the city and its vibrant community. “I’d love to mention I set this specifically in Pasadena because I happen to love the city and I go there a lot. And I had written this book, like I said, two years ago, and I didn’t know the fires were going to happen and I didn’t know the new administration was going to come to being. So I feel like it feels very present,” she said. “I hope that comes across and that people get to see a different aspect of California outside of the wildfires, but there’s this vibrant culture here that people come together in community and we got to see that after the fires.”
The Pasadena Farmers Market, established in 1980 to connect farmers with residents and expanded to include a second location at Victory Park in 1984, serves as the central setting for the novel. This location is integral to the story, showcasing the real-life significance of these spaces in community building.
Vroman’s Bookstore, established in 1894 and the oldest and largest independent bookstore in Southern California, serves as a cultural hub that fosters community discussions through literary events. The bookstore is located at 695 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101.
