Brian Leung Engages Students Through Story, Reflection and Optimism
The College of Liberal Arts welcomed Purdue students, faculty and guests to the Vonnegut Museum for a special-standing-room-only literary event in Indianapolis, featuring a reading by Brian Leung, professor of English. Leung shared selected excerpts from his latest book, A Terrifying Brush with Optimism, offering attendees an intimate look into his evolving voice as a writer.
A Terrifying Brush with Optimism is a genre-bending collection that blends fiction and nonfiction that explores the complexities of identity and the emotional costs and rewards of staying true to oneself.
Students in attendance connected with both Leung’s writing and his perspective. Megan, a freshman studying biomedical engineering, was particularly drawn to his narrative style. “I like how he introduced who he was as a person without it being the entire plot,” she said, noting the balance between personal insight and storytelling.
Drawing from his upbringing in California, Leung described how earthquakes appear in one of his pieces to convey sudden, life-altering change. These seismic shifts, he explained, mirror aspects of his own lived experience, including his identity. For readers who may not share or fully understand those personal dimensions, the metaphor provides an accessible way to grasp the impact of unexpected transformation.
The author of four novels and two collections, Leung emphasized that no two are alike. He describes himself as a non-sentimental writer, instead placing characters fully within their own lives and guiding them toward a space where optimism can emerge.
Leung also reflected on his growth over time, both as a writer and as an individual. He credited his mother with instilling in him the importance of continually evaluating one’s place in life and recognizing how that perspective evolves. This mindset has shaped his approach to storytelling.
Jordan, a junior studying environmental engineering, described the reading as immersive and vivid. “I could imagine each scene as he read,” they said.
Leung writes across multiple genres, including fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. His visit to Indianapolis offered students not only a glimpse of his latest work but also a broader understanding of the creative process and the ways personal experience can inform powerful storytelling.
Reflecting on his classroom visit as well as the reading event, Leung said, “I’m impressed by the energy of the students, and the dedication Provost Wolfe and Dean Yeomans have toward highlighting the role of the College of Liberal Arts at the Indianapolis location. West Lafayette and Indianapolis are separated by a few miles but unified in integrity, inquiry, and creativity."
The event underscored the College of Liberal Arts’ commitment across Purdue and the importance of fostering meaningful conversations around literature, identity and creative expression across disciplines.