Once a skincare content creator, Liann Zhang has channeled all of her informative creativity into her writing. She’s written her first novel, Julie Chan Is Dead, which vividly interrogates identity, social media and the performance of self in our present day influencer era. Zhang finds much of her inspiration through her own life experiences. Through her deftly woven tale, she takes us into Julie’s strange world—living her dead influencer twin’s life, wrestling with the nuances and dissonances of online (and real) identities, and ultimately questing after authenticity. The novel explores the journeys of influencers who grapple with losing their sense of self as they conform to societal expectations, questioning the line between reinvention and self-erasure.
Zhang’s debut novel, Julie Chan Is Dead, is inspired in large part by her experience as a former skincare influencer. This immersion yields a distinct perspective from which she explores the hazy balance between digital self and true self. With her sister’s life, Julie assumes the social media influencer persona of her beautiful, outgoing, and dead twin. As she does, the story unravels the complicated landscape of social media and its impact on our self-image.
Zhang wanted to focus on how influencers changed over time. She reflects on how they often evolve from relatable individuals to homogenized versions of themselves, transplanted into the landscapes of Los Angeles or New York City, often losing the unique spark that initially drew their audiences. This process of change is both the inciting transformation and the sustaining narrative arc of the book. Julie fights to keep her own identity as she embodies the persona of her dead twin.
The creative process behind the birth of “Julie Chan Is Dead” was decidedly non-traditional, with Zhang coming up with the ending first. This strategy gave her the ability to create a story that would move to a particular resolution. This really allowed for an intimate dive into some serious themes surrounding identity and self-discovery. Zhang’s personal ideology is front and center, as her beliefs are woven into the very fabric of the book.
Though the premise of the book is far-fetched, it raises some deep questions about the nature of online identity. In doing so, it explores what happens when the urgency of reinvention threatens to erase one’s true self. Zhang’s personal experiences navigating social media had a powerful impact on the writing process, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.
Comparisons have been drawn between "Julie Chan Is Dead" and Mona Awad's "Bunny," suggesting a shared exploration of dark themes and complex characters. As one of the 2025 debut class members, Zhang’s work is especially highly-anticipated.
Julie Chan Is Dead does a needle-threading job of addressing identity, social media, and performance. Zhang’s writing examines the nuances of online interactions and friendships. She extrapolates themes from her personal journeys as she curates and wades through these virtual and digital connections.
The themes explored in "Julie Chan Is Dead" resonate deeply with contemporary concerns about the impact of social media on individual identity. Zhang's novel offers a timely and insightful commentary on the pressures faced by influencers and the broader implications of living in an age of constant online performance. Read Zhang’s beautiful, complicated world for yourself on bookshop.org, and join us as we dive into her thoughtful debut.
