Best-Selling Author Lisa See

THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN LISA SEE Saturday, April 6th at 7:00pm Chaucer’s Books is deeply honored to host literary author, Lisa See, as she launches her new book entitled The Island of Sea Women on Saturday, April 6th at 7:00 pm. Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls living on a Korean island, are best friends that come from very different backgrounds. When they are old enough, they begin working with their village’s all-female diving collective. Despite their love for each other, Mi-ja and Young-sook’s differences are impossible to ignore. Little do the two friends know that after surviving hundreds of dives and developing the closest of bonds, forces outsidetheir control will push their friendship to the breaking point. ‘Jumping between the WWII era and 2008, See perceptively depicts challenges faced by Koreans over the course of the 20th century, particularly homing in on the ways the haenyeo have struggled to maintain their way of life. Exposing the depths of human cruelty and resilience, Sees lush tale is a wonderful ode to a truly singular group of women.’ –Publisher’s Weekly A stupendous multigenerational family saga, Sees latest also provides an enthralling cultural anthropology highlighting the soon-to-be-lost, matriarchal haenyeo phenomenon and an engrossing history of violently tumultuous twentieth-century Korea. A mesmerizing achievement. Sees accomplishment, acclaim, and readership continue to rise with each book, and interest in this stellar novel will be well stoked. Booklist, STARRED review Lisa See was born in Paris, France ,but has spent many years in Los Angeles, especially Los Angeles and Chinatown. Her mother, Carolyn See, was also a writer and novelist. Her autobiography provides insight into her daughter’s life. See was West Coast correspondent for Publisher’s Weekly and has written the libretto for the opera based on On Gold Mountain, Her paternal great- grandfather was Chinese, making her one-eighth Chinese. This has had a great impact on her life and work. She has written for and led in many cultural events emphasizing the importance of Los Angeles and Chinatown. Among her awards and recognition are the Organization of Chinese American Women’s 2001 award as National Woman of the Year and the 2003 History Makers Award presented by the Chinese American Museum See serves as a Los Angeles City Commissioner.