Lisa See Quotes

A collection of quotes by Lisa See.

Lisa See is an American author celebrated for her insightful and culturally immersive novels set in China or among Chinese American communities. Born on February 18, 1955, in Paris, France, to a Chinese mother and an American father, See grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by her family's rich Chinese heritage. She credits her mother, author Carolyn See, for instilling in her a passion for storytelling.

See's writing frequently explores the lives of women, intergenerational relationships, and the complexities of Chinese and Chinese American history. She gained widespread acclaim with her breakthrough novel, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" (2005), which delves into the intimate bond between two women in 19th-century China. The success of this novel led to its adaptation into a feature film.

Her other notable works include "Shanghai Girls" (2009), "Dreams of Joy" (2011), and "The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane" (2017). These novels skillfully combine historical events with compelling characters, capturing the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of Chinese women caught in a rapidly changing world.

With her vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Lisa See has become a respected voice in contemporary literature. Her novels not only entertain readers but also provide nuanced insights into Chinese history and culture, encouraging cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. As an author who values her roots, See has had a significant impact on contemporary American literature.

He was in my hair, my eyes, my fingers, my heart. I day-drea

He was in my hair, my eyes, my fingers, my heart. I day-dreamed about what he was doing, thinking, seeing, smelling, feeling. I could not eat for thoughts of him.

Lisa See

Love Longing

If it is perfectly acceptable for a widow to disfigure herse

If it is perfectly acceptable for a widow to disfigure herself or commit suicide to save face for her husband's family, why should a mother not be moved to extreme action by the loss of a child or children? We are their caretakers. We love them. We nurse them when they are sick. . . But no woman should live longer than her children. It is against the law of nature. If she does, why wouldn't she wish to leap from a cliff, hang from a branch, or swallow lye?

Lisa See

Death Love Family Women

It used to happen in villages and towns in China that they w

It used to happen in villages and towns in China that they would have - I guess you'd call them beauty contests - where all of the women of a particular village or town would be seated behind these screens or curtains with only their feet showing.

Lisa See

Beauty

I think all women have a friend who at some point dumped the

I think all women have a friend who at some point dumped them or betrayed them or deeply disappointed them. And at the same time all women have a friend who they dumped or betrayed or hurt in some way. That's universal in women's friendships.

Lisa See

Women

We can see the Divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn'

We can see the Divine in each speck of dust, but that doesn't stop us from wiping it away with a wet sponge. The Divine doesn't disappear; it's transformed into the clean surface.

Paulo Coelho


And often it would be a woman who was in her 70s or 80s who

And often it would be a woman who was in her 70s or 80s who would win the beauty contest, because bound feet never age.

Lisa See

Beauty