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An Evening with Author Lisa See on Zoom

Join New York Times bestselling author Lisa See as she talks about her new book Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, a captivating story of women helping other women.

See’s latest historical novel was inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th-century China and is a triumphant reimagining of the life of a woman who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.

Summary of Lady Tan's Circle of Women: 

According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family - is being raised by her grandparents to be of use.

From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and they vow to be forever friends. But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, pluck instruments, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound.

How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a captivating story of women helping other women.

Ms. See is the New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, China Dolls, and Dreams of Joy, which debuted at #1. She is also the author of On Gold Mountain, which tells the story of her Chinese American family’s settlement in Los Angeles. Ms. See has also written a mystery series that takes place in China. Her books have been published in 39 languages. See was the recipient of the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the History Maker’s Award from the Chinese American Museum. She was also named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women.

Copies of Lady Tan's Circle of Women, signed by bookplate, are available through the Concord Bookshop.

This program is in partnership with Burlington Public Library and other local libraries.

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