A conversation with Lisa See, author of "Lady Tan's Circle of Women"

American Writers Museum presents a discussion with bestselling author Lisa See about her new historical fiction novel "Lady Tan's Circle of Women," inspired by the true story of a trailblazing woman physician from 15th-century China whose formulas are still used today in traditional Chinese medicine. See is joined in conversation by fellow author Joanne Leedom-Ackerman. This conversation originally took place June 12, 2023 and was recorded live at the American Writers Museum. For a full list of upcoming programs and events with the American Writers Museum, click here: americanwritersmuseum.org/cal...
About "Lady Tan's Circle of Women:"
According to Confucius, "an educated woman is a worthless woman," but Tan Yunxian-born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness-is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations--looking, listening, touching, and asking--something a man can never do with a female patient.
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 a mutual purpose-despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it-and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other's joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.
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, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.
How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions, go on to treat women and girls from every level of society, and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" is a captivating story of women helping other women. It is also a triumphant reimagining of the life of a woman who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
Order your copy of "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" here: bookshop.org/a/628/9781982117085

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I am yet to listen to your lecture, which I intend to, I love oriental history. An educated woman is worthless woman, but Tan (the man) Yunxian born into an elite family, haunted by death, separations, and loneliness is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Instead, of following pop American/Europian culture it is instigated to follow their traditions, it may not be what the book is about but by the way Ms. Tan is posed it indicates just that.