Events
Past ASIA Event:
Marie Myung-Ok Lee Book Reading - April 21, 2005
Marie Myung-Ok Lee reads from her latest novel Somebody's Daughter Thurs,
Apr. 21 at 7pm.
Young adult novelist Lee (Finding My Voice, etc.) explores a Korean-born girl's complicated
journey to define her identity in her poignant adult debut. Adopted by a white Minnesota family who tried to
quash any curiosity Sarah Thorson might have about her homeland, the directionless 20-year-old drops out of
college and enrolls in a Korean-language program in Seoul. As she struggles to fit in, she recognizes her desire to
learn about her birth family, and she's shocked to learn that she was abandoned as a baby (she'd been told her parents
died in a car accident). With the help of her new boyfriend, Korean-American Doug, who educates her about
her homeland and its citizens ("Cut open a Korean and... you'll find: salt and hot red peppers," he tells her over
a meal of spicy soup), she goes on a Korean TV show dedicated to finding missing persons.
Meanwhile, Lee spins out the parallel story line of Sarah's birth mother: Kyung-Sook had dreams of
pursuing a career in Korean folk music, but she fell for an American hippie who abandoned her once she
became pregnant. Now 50, Kyung-Sook sees Sarah on TV and comes to Seoul to find her.
Lee sidesteps a tender emotional reunion, though, in favor of an honest portrayal of a mother's sacrifice and
a daughter's growth.
Marie Myung-Ok Lee, author of four young adult novels, including Finding My Voice and
Saying Goodbye, graduated from Brown University. She has received many honors for
her writing, including an O. Henry honorable mention for an adaptation of a chapter in this novel, the
Best Book Award from the Friends of American Writers, and a Best Book for Reluctant Readers citation
from the American Library Association. She currently lives and writes in
Providence, Rhode Island.
Presented by Beacon Press and the Center for New Words - 186 Hampshire St., Cambridge.
Co-sponsored by
Boston Korean Adoptees and ASIA.
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