Yiyun Li, a notable alumna of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and acclaimed author, will make her return to the University of Iowa campus on October 23. Li will engage audiences in a discussion about her celebrated memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow, a work that recently earned her the 2026 Pulitzer Prize.
PHOTO: BASSO CANNARSA/AGENCE OPALE
Iowa alumna and Princeton University professor Yiyun Li is the author of 12 books, including her recent memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow.
Li’s memoir deeply explores the tragic loss of her two sons, offering readers insight into the persistence of life and language amidst profound grief. The Beijing-born writer, who holds the Robert F. Goheen Professor in the Humanities title at Princeton University, shared her reflections on loss and literature with Iowa Magazine. Her upcoming visit coincides with the UI’s annual Literary Legends program and the Iowa City Book Festival.
From Science to Storytelling
Initially pursuing a path in immunology, Li’s academic journey took a significant turn when she decided to join the Nonfiction Writing Program and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her shift was driven by a desire to embrace new challenges, stepping away from the predictability of a scientific career. “I loved all things science—and still do,” she admits, reflecting on her enduring interest in scientific literature.
Influences and Inspirations
Li credits her growth as a writer to her interactions with influential mentors like James Alan McPherson and Marilynne Robinson, and several distinguished visiting authors. These experiences at the workshop were pivotal in shaping her literary voice.
Writing in a Second Language
Adopting English as her writing language has been both a challenge and a blessing for Li. She emphasizes the importance of clarity and precision, noting how the process of writing in a second language requires careful consideration of each word.
Memoir Motivations
While primarily a fiction writer, Li turned to nonfiction to document the profound events of her personal life. “Life happens, and sometimes life makes fiction look tame,” she states, highlighting the necessity of recounting these real-life experiences.
Choosing a Title
The title Things in Nature Merely Grow was inspired by Li’s gardening experiences and Instagram posts, eventually resonating with the memoir’s themes. Initially referred to as “the book for James,” the title naturally emerged during the writing process.
Language as a Tool for Understanding
Li’s writing is noted for its precision and restraint, qualities that aid her in processing her sons’ deaths. Quoting Wallace Stevens, she explains her aim is “to speak humanly from the height or from the depth/Of human things,” a testament to the profound role language plays in her work.
Embracing Radical Acceptance
Li embraces “radical acceptance,” a concept introduced by psychologist Marsha Linehan, as a way to navigate her sons’ deaths. She believes in focusing on the present, asserting, “What if?” belongs in fiction, while “what now?” is for life.
Future Literary Ventures
Li continues to explore themes of curiosity and bafflement in her writing. Her latest project is a trilogy set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with the first installment, Music Against the Night, slated for an October release.
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