Amy Tan English II Biotechnology High School Birth

Amy Tan English II Biotechnology High School

Birth and growing up u. Born in 1952 in California u. Bicultural and bilingual household u. Middle child u. Only daughter

Parents u. Father emigrated from China in late 1940 s v. Before Communist Revolution v. Became Baptist minister u. Mother left Shanghai in 1949 v. Had 3 daughters from arranged marriage v. Divorced first husband u. Parents married; 3 children

Family History u. Grandmother v. Jing-Mei v. Lost husband to flu epidemic v. Raped by wealthy man w Forced her to be concubine w Suicide s opium

Name u. American name: Amy u. Chinese name: An-mei

Expectations u. Mother wanted her to become doctor u. To play piano in concert

Jobs u. Switchboard operator u. Carhop v. A&W Root Beer u. Pizza baker/server u. Never taught

College u Attended FIVE colleges! u B. A. : San Jose State University u M. A. : San Jose State University u Studied for Ph. D. from UC Berkeley v. Never completed program u Honorary doctorates v. Parking spots!

Novels u. The Joy Luck Club u. The Kitchen God’s Wife u. The Hundred Secret Senses u. The Bonesetter’s Daughter u. Saving Fish from Drowning

Connection with Joy Luck u. Mother’s heart attack u. Interest in Chinese heritage u. Traveled to China u. Met three half-sisters

Marriage u. Married to Lou De. Mattei since 1974 v. No children v. Two dogs (Bubba and Lilli) v. Had a cat

Awards u. Nominated for National Book Award u. Nominated for Los Angeles Times Book Prize u. Pulitzer? ?

Interesting facts u. Agent encouraged her writing u. Contracted Lyme disease v. Helped set up foundation u. Lives in a condo in San Francisco v. Lots of stairs! u. Performs in a garage band v. Rock Bottom Remainders v. Wears red wig!