This is poised to be a breakout debut novel from a writer whose short fiction has garnered praise and attention...[A] story of friendship, identity, and soul-searching that stays with you long after the last page.

S. Zainab Williams, BookRiot

An unforgettable novel. When a coming-of-age story can surprise me, I know a writer has done their job. Yeun takes the darkest moments and finds hope in them.

Adam Vitcavage, Debutiful "Most Anticipated Debuts of 2026"

The powerful first novel from Yeun, set in South Korea, follows a teenage girl who flees her abusive home and moves to a boarding home, where she befriends another girl whose relationship with her benefactor is threatened by the 2008 financial crisis.

Michael Schaub, Orange County Register

With this story of how we betray and are betrayed, by others but especially by ourselves, Che Yeun has given us an unforgettable debut novel, indelible, knowing, powerful, consuming. This marks the start of a major career.

Alexander Chee, author of HOW TO WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL

A gripping coming of age tale as savage as it is astounding, Tailbone seduces one first with voice, then swells and electrifies from within the storied walls of the Seoul boarding house in which anything is possible. Tailbone introduces Che Yeun as one of the absolute greats, an extraordinary stylist and singular storyteller of our time.

T Kira Madden, author of WHIDBEY and LONG LIVE THE TRIBE OF FATHERLESS GIRLS

With sharp and arresting prose, Che Yeun's Tailbone fearlessly examines a South Korea on the brink of economic collapse. A haunting, unforgettable story about survival in all its forms.

Jenny Tinghui Zhang, author of FOUR TREASURES OF THE SKY and SUPERFAN