Amy Tan Biography

Amy Tan is an American author of Chinese origin who mainly explores the elements of mother-daughter relationships in her works. She has produced several works of fiction, as well as non-fiction, the best known of which is ‘The Joy Luck Club’, which revolves around the lives of four mothers and their four daughters. The book won many prizes and has been translated into several languages. Many of her other novels such as ‘The Kitchen God’s Wife’ and ‘The Bonesetter’s Daughter’ have also become bestsellers. A critically acclaimed author today, she had always dreamed of making a career in writing. When she was a student, her parents expected her to become a neurosurgeon but she defied them by joining an English Major course. After working as a technical writer for some time, she took to writing fiction. Her first novel, ‘The Joy Luck Club’ became a New York Times bestseller and won her many accolades and prizes. The book has also been adapted into a successful movie for which she co-wrote the screenplay. She went on to author other novels which were also well received by the readers and critics alike. She also writes books for children. One of her children’s books, ‘Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat’ was adapted into a television program.