[POSTPONED] Author Talk: Susan Lieu on 'The Manicurist's Daughter'

Author Talk Susan Lieu The Manicurist's Daughter

UPDATE (May 1, 2024) — This event is postponed. This page will be updated with the new event date when it is confirmed.

Schedule

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
6:30 p.m. Author Talk
7:15 p.m. Audience Q&A
7:30 p.m. Book Signing

Susan Lieu was only 11 years old when her mother — a Vietnamese refugee and successful nail salon owner — died unexpectedly of complications following a botched cosmetic surgery. Over the following 20 years, Lieu sought any information about her mother while also grappling with questions around her own identity and belonging, eventually chronicling her search for her mother — and herself — in her new memoir The Manicurist's Daughter.

Exploring the questions triggered by her mother's tragic death and her family's escape from Vietnam, Lieu revisits their refugee experience resettling in California while unpacking the constantly evolving and sometimes illusory nature of the American dream. The Manicurist's Daughter has been praised by literary figures including Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Gene Luen Yang, and Thi Bui and noted for its vulnerability, humor, and empathy.

"This haunting memoir reveals that secrets can lurk in even the most seemingly ordinary families." — Apple Books Staff Picks

Join Asia Society Texas as author Susan Lieu presents her debut book The Manicurist's Daughter. Books will be available onsite, and a book-signing will follow the program.

About the Speaker

Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese American author, playwright, and performer who tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. A daughter of nail salon workers, she took her award-winning autobiographical solo show 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother on a 10-city national tour, with sold-out premieres and accolades from the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and American Theatre. Eight months pregnant, she premiered her sequel, OVER 140 LBS, at ACT Theatre.

She is a proud alumna of Harvard College, Yale School of Management, Coro, Hedgebrook, and Vashon Artist Residency. She is also the cofounder of Socola Chocolatier, an artisanal chocolate company based in San Francisco. Susan lives with her husband and son in Seattle, where they enjoy mushroom hunting, croissants, and big family gatherings. The Manicurist’s Daughter is her first book.

Moderator information to be announced.

Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.

Business and Policy programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Bank of America, Muffet Blake, and ExxonMobil. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding provided by bp America, Inc, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Regions Bank, and Stephanie and Frank Tsuru. Additional support is provided by the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in public programming.

Business & Policy Presenting Sponsors

About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.

At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.

Presenting Sponsor of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Sponsors of APAH Month
Comcast
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Media Sponsor

APAH Month 2024 Calendar

Digital Calendar Interactive/Printable PDF

Past APAH Month Calendars

2023: Highlights | Details
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.