Featuring Amy Tan

Acclaimed Best-Selling Author of The Joy Luck Club

Born in the US to immigrant parents from China, Amy Tan rejected her mother’s expectations that she become a doctor and concert pianist; instead, she chose to write fiction. Her novels include: The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, and Saving Fish from Drowning, all New York Times bestsellers and recipients of various awards. She is also the author of a memoir, two children’s books, and numerous articles for magazines, including: The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, and National Geographic. Her work has been translated into 35 languages.

Amy served as co-producer and co-screenwriter with Ron Bass for the film adaptation of The Joy Luck Club, her essays and stories are found in hundreds of anthologies and textbooks, and she guest starred on the animated series “The Simpsons." Amy also wrote the libretto for The Bonesetter’s Daughter which had its world premiere with the San Francisco Opera in September 2008.

Her other musical work for the stage includes serving as lead rhythm dominatrix, backup singer, and second tambourine with the literary garage band, the Rock Bottom Remainders, whose members include Stephen King, Dave Barry, and Scott Turow. In spite of their dubious talent, their yearly gigs have managed to raise over a million dollars for literacy programs.

Image credit: Monica Lam.