Karen Joy Fowler is an American writer renowned for her wide range of literary works. Her 1991 debut book, "Sarah Canary," was well-received by critics. It is set in nineteenth-century America and centers on the theme of alienation, with characters including a Chinese American, a feminist, a person who may or may not be mentally ill, and Sarah herself—an extraterrestrial. The book was purposefully written by Fowler to appeal to science fiction fans as well as general readers.