Maryland Humanities recently announced the selection of “The Island of Sea Women,” a novel by Lisa See, for the 2020 One Maryland One Book program.
“For the past 12 years, One Maryland One Book has generated frank conversations about urgent issues explored through literature — including refugees and migrants, conflicts with police, and most recently the Flint water crisis,” said Aaron Heinsman, Acting Executive Director at Maryland Humanities, in a news release. “I’m excited to see what new perspectives Lisa See’s novel surfaces for readers.“
The novel follows the decades-long friendship of two haenyeo (female divers) from Jeju Island in Korea. The book was chosen by a committee of librarians, educators, authors and bibliophiles in February from more than 165 titles suggested last fall by readers across the state for the theme, “Friendship.” In 2019, “The Island of Sea Women” made the New York Times’ list of best sellers.
“I’m thrilled and honored that The Island of Sea Women has been chosen as the 2020 One Maryland One Book selection,” See said in the release. “This has been a trying year and some of us have sustained terrible losses. I’m proud of the way we’ve had to come together in our families, communities, and states. Books have always given me joy, solace, and courage. Now we have the opportunity to come together to have a shared reading experience. I hope the sea women that I wrote about — their physical and emotional bravery — are as inspiring to all of you as they have been to me. I’m so looking forward to our events and meeting all of you. We’re going to have fun!”