New York Times Bestseller Lisa See To Speak At UCR Palm Desert

 Lisa See, author of New York Times bestselling books, “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” “Shanghai Girls” and “Peony in Love,” will discuss her work at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert.

See’s writing has been noted for exploring many types of love, including romantic, patriotic and familial bonds. In her most recent book, “Dreams of Joy,” See returns to these timeless themes as she continues the story of the sisters from “Shanghai Girls.”

See says she has always been intrigued by stories of the lost and forgotten. For “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” See traveled through a remote area of China where she was told she was the second foreigner to ever visit. While there, she researched the secret writing that was invented, used and concealed by women for more than 1,000 years. The film version of that story was released in summer 2011 by Fox Searchlight.

Though See was born in Paris, she primarily grew up in Los Angeles. She lived with her mother but spent a lot of time with her father’s family in Chinatown, a world that had a profound effect on See’s writing. Her first book, “On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family,” was a national bestseller and listed as a Notable Book in the New York Times. The book traces the journey of the author’s great-grandfather, Fong See, who became the patriarch of a sprawling family and the godfather of L.A.’s Chinatown.

In addition to writing books, See was the West Coast correspondent for “Publishers Weekly” for 13 years. Her articles have appeared in national publications, such as “Vogue” and “Self.” In 2001, she was named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women. In 2003, she was the recipient of the Chinese American Museum’s History Makers award.

See is the third author in UCR Palm Desert’s acclaimed Arts & Letters Series, in which prominent celebrated literary figures share their work with the Coachella Valley community. After her reading and lecture, there will be a Q&A with See and author Tod Goldberg, director of UCR Palm Desert’s low-residency MFA program.

Tickets are $20 each. VIP tickets are available for $85 that include reserved seating, a copy of See’s latest book, a preferred book signing line and a reception with the author at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, call (760) 834-0800. Buy tickets online at webpay.ucr.edu.