The Collective

In "The Collective," Don Lee crafts a captivating bildungsroman centered on the intertwined lives of Eric Cho, Jessica Tsai, and Joshua Yoon as they navigate the complexities of friendship, art, and race at Macalester College in 1988. As the trio forms the Asian American Artists Collective in Cambridge, Massachusetts, they confront the challenges of creativity and idealism amid societal pressures and personal trials, including a racially charged controversy that tests their bonds. Years later, Eric reflects on these formative experiences and the impact of Joshua’s tragic suicide, exploring the dreams and sacrifices inherent in the pursuit of artistic identity with humor and compassion.