Lisa See is an accomplished American author, best known for her New York Times bestselling books that explore the Chinese American experience. She was born in Paris on February 18, 1955, but spent most of her youth in Los Angeles. After taking two years off from college to travel, she discovered her passion for writing while staying in Greece. Although she had previously vowed never to become a writer, she experienced a sudden realization that this was exactly what she wanted to do. Her works include "Lady Tan’s Circle of Women," "The Island of Sea Women," "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane," "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," "Peony in Love," "Shanghai Girls," "China Dolls," and "Dreams of Joy," among others.
Lisa See's writing is known for its deep research, authenticity, and lyrical storytelling. She has a particular interest in stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up, and she often travels to remote areas to uncover these narratives. One example is her novel "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," for which she traveled to a secluded region of China to research the secret writing invented and used by women for over a thousand years. This novel became a bestseller and was later adapted into a feature film.
See's family background has significantly influenced her writing. Her great-grandfather, Fong See, was a 100-year-old godfather of Los Angeles's Chinatown, and her first book, "On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family," tells his story. This book, which was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book, laid the foundation for her subsequent novels featuring Chinese characters and cultures.
In addition to her writing, Lisa See has had an active and varied career. She has worked as a freelance journalist, contributing to publications like Vogue, Self, and More. She has also been involved in various projects related to Chinese-American history and culture, such as curating exhibitions, designing walking tours, and writing librettos for operas. She has received numerous awards for her contributions, including the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the History Maker's Award from the Chinese American Museum.