The Great Read Series returns this spring semester with a lineup of engaging events centered around Chloe Gong’s book, “Foul Lady Fortune,” culminating in an author talk and book signing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 9, at the Student Resource Center, Room 2000, on the College’s Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

Additional events include a screening of the film “Shanghai Triad,” and a series of off-campus faculty talks. All events are free and open to the public. 

"Foul Lady Fortune” is a historical fantasy novel set in 1931 Shanghai and follows Rosalind Lang, code-named Fortune, an immortal assassin for the Nationalists. After a series of murders rock the city, Rosalind goes undercover in a fake marriage to fellow spy Orion Hong to investigate the deaths linked to the invading Japanese army. Tasked with infiltrating foreign society, Lang must uncover the conspiracy before more lives are lost, while navigating the dangerous mission alongside her infuriating but capable partner. 

The Great Read Series was created to offer more active learning opportunities for students outside the classroom and to provide community members with greater access to COD resources. Each year, the College selects a book for the community to read together, and hosts events designed around the novel to encourage reading and generate discussions between COD and the community on important topics. The program’s goal is to help students see themselves within literature, highlight contemporary voices and encourage everyone to learn from and listen to a new perspective.