Mariella
asked
Lisa See:
As a lifelong student of Eastern spirituality, I relished the accuracy of your character's personalities in relation to their Chinese zodiac signs.(I'm fire rabbit and a painter, so Z.G. is very close to my heart!) I'm wondering if you value Chinese astrology primarily as a literary tool or if you find the zodiac to reflect authentically in your own life and relationships? Do you identify with your native animal?
Lisa See
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to answer your question. I've been working on the new novel, and I haven't been checking e-mai and the like.
I'd have to answer yes to both both questions. I use the Chinese zodiac to build characters. The characteristics of the Chinese zodiac are so specific, which makes it very useful. But I also see so many things in my life that are very clear in relation to the Chinese zodiac. I'm a Sheep. My husband is a Dragon. My younger son is an Ox. And my older son is... Well, you get the picture. It seems to me that our personality quirks are very close to our signs.
I'd have to answer yes to both both questions. I use the Chinese zodiac to build characters. The characteristics of the Chinese zodiac are so specific, which makes it very useful. But I also see so many things in my life that are very clear in relation to the Chinese zodiac. I'm a Sheep. My husband is a Dragon. My younger son is an Ox. And my older son is... Well, you get the picture. It seems to me that our personality quirks are very close to our signs.
More Answered Questions
Gwendolyn B.
asked
Lisa See:
Lady Tan's Circle of Women was a joy to read! Obviously, traditional Chinese medicine requires a much different approach than what we know in the West. During your journey of researching and writing, did you find your own views of health and medicine evolving? Are there any assumptions you held that you started to question? Have you reconciled both approaches to medicine in a way that makes sense?
Susan
asked
Lisa See:
Just read China Dolls and wondered how many Chinese girls did resort to fan and bubble dancing to earn a living during the war years? Names such as Sally Rand were famous for doing this but your book, which I couldn't put down, was quite convincing that all you wrote about might have been true of Chinese dancers as well. Thanks for a fascinating story.
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