Welcome to the Blogging From A to Z Challenge!
My theme for 2013 is Influential Women Authors.
My definition of influential is any author, classic or modern, who has inspired writers, readers, or the larger scope of culture. Some are personal favorites, or have special meaning to me.
What this list is not: a list of the most influential writers of all time. Rather, this is a collection of influential writers, corresponding with each day's letter.
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| image: IMDb |
Lisa See is a writer whose Chinese-American heritage influences her work. She wrote Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shangai Girls, and most recently, Dreams of Joy, which all share themes about Chinese women of the past.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a beautiful, haunting book about two life-long friends who meet as girls, and support each other through arranged marriages, foot binding, and a bunch of other bleak circumstances that inevitably make you feel pretty grateful about your own life. Her detail into 1800s China makes the story even more compelling. I have not seen the movie, although it seems to have mixed reviews. This is one of those sweeping epics, so maybe best to stick with the book.
Her books have landed on many bestseller lists, and she was nominated for an Edgar award for her first novel. More on her website.
Have you read any books by Lisa See? Or, have you read any historical fiction novels about a certain era that has intrigued you?
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I read SNOW FLOWER awhile ago and just loved it. I don't know that I read any of her others or, if I did, I didn't care for them as much as SNOW FLOWER.
ReplyDeleteI've heard such awesome things about her works. When I catch a break in my reading list, I'll have to check her out ... her books, I mean. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the cover. I remember reading and loving Memoirs of a Geisha. I think a trip to China(via her book) might be fun too.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Memoirs of a Geisha; they are probably similar in a lot of ways, although I think Lisa See explores women's relationships with each other more deeply.
DeleteI haven't read many of her books. But i have heard loads about them. she's a great choice.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of her books but this one does sound interesting. A historical novel that I have read numerous times is "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset, set in 14th Century Norway. I love Undset's work. Everything is there for a reason.
ReplyDeleteSuch a perfect adjective for Snow Flower and the Secret Fan--haunting. At times it was so hard to read, yet I could not put it down. Great S!
ReplyDeleteScrumptious Setting = S
I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in Beijing one summer when my husband was building the new US Embassy there - what a way to travel, back in time and far, far from that crowded, hot city!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to read that while in Beijing!
DeleteI've loved her books! She was referred to me by a friend. At first I didn't think it was something I'd read, but I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful author, great books!
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