This Wednesday, November 9, 2005 from 11:30pm to 2:00pm, "The Friends of the USC Libraries" present screenwriter Robin Swicord who will discuss her cinematic adaptation of Arthur Golden's best-selling novel Memoirs of a Geisha at a literary luncheon at the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles. The event will take place at the University Park Campus at the "Town & Gown" venue. RSVPs are required. The luncheon cost is $45 for food + parking; the lecture is free.

A literary sensation and runaway best-seller in 1997, this brilliant debut novel presents with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan’s most celebrated geisha.

In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl’s virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction – at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful – and completely unforgettable.

Hollywood has had its eye on the adaptation of this famous novel for years and several attempts have been made by different creative teams. This December 2005, Sony Pictures will release its adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha by director Rob Marshall, with a script by Robin Swicord.

Ms. Swicord is highly regarded for her adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (1994), Christine Bell’s The Perez Family (1995), Roald Dahl’s Matilda (1996) (co-written with husband Nicholas Kazan) and Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic (1998). She resides in Santa Monica with her family.

Reservations required whether you are interested in attending the free lecture or the "lunch and lecture" ($45 per person, includes parking [use Entrance 4 at Royal St. from Jefferson Blvd.]).

The event schedule:

11:30 a.m. – Noon : Check-in

Noon – 1:00 p.m. : Luncheon

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. : Screenwriter Robin Swicord shares her thoughts on adapting a best-selling novel to film.

RSVP by November 4, 2005. Please call 213-740-2328 or email friendsofthelibraries@usc.edu for more information.

When there is a book to be adapted for the silver screen, especially one with strong female protagonists, writer Robin Swicord is the person to call.

After all, she is widely regarded for her adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's timeless classic "Little Women" (1994), Christine Bell's The Perez Family (1995), Roald Dahl's Matilda (1996, co-written with husband Nicholas Kazan) and Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic (1998).

As part of the Friends of the USC Libraries Literary Luncheon series, Swicord discusses her latest cinematic adaptation in which she brings Arthur Golden's best-selling novel Memoirs of a Geisha to life.

The Sony Pictures film, scheduled for a December release and directed by Chicago director Rob Marshall, stars Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zhang in the title role of the geisha who, during the years leading up to World War II, transcends her fishing-village roots and becomes one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.

The projects she has been attached to have attracted such Tinseltown heavyweights as Sandra Bullock, Kirsten Dunst, Stockard Channing and Oscar winners Nicole Kidman, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei and Anjelica Huston.