Former DeKalb resident Margit Liesche is returning to her childhood home to share her love of writing and history.

Liesche is coming to DeKalb to promote her new book, “Triptych,” at 7 p.m. today at Barnes and Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road. “Triptych” tells the story of two sets of mothers and daughters: the first caught up in the brutalities of the Hungarian revolution of 1956, and the second in ’80s Chicago, dealing with effects of the revolution and secrets it left behind.

The inspiration for her book grew out of her memories and relationship with her mother, a Hungarian refugee.

“I knew I wanted it to be a mother-daughter story,” Liesche said. “For an immigrant child I think it is not unusual to shun your heritage, but when you get older you come to embrace it. The main character in the story is going through the same type of heritage discovery. Through her journey I was exploring my journey.”

Liesche lives in San Francisco, but came to DeKalb to give a presentation and sign copies of “Triptych” because the area holds a significant place in her heart and book. Her main character, Ildiko Palmay, spends her childhood in a DeKalb-esque town.

“I spent the better part of my childhood growing up in DeKalb, and I just love it,” Liesche said. “I thought that it would be a nice setting for her because it’s close to Chicago where there is a large Hungarian population.”

Liesche’s appearance at Barnes and Noble coincides with the anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution

Liesche purposefully negotiated with her publisher to have “Triptych” published earlier so it would be released closer to the dates of the Hungarian Revolution, which started Oct. 23, 1956, and ended Nov. 10, 1956.

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to highlight the revolution,” Liesche said.

Liesche is as much of a historian as she is an author. Her previous books, “Lipstick and Lies” and “Hollywood Buzz,” brought to life the World War II band of flying sisters, the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Her hope is that “Triptych” will inform people about the Hungarian Revolution and its lasting influence on people’s lives. Through her writing, she aims to help educate her readers just as much as entertain them.

“The gift of writing is that hopefully you are able to touch someone’s life in some way,” Liesche said. “…To move them to learn something about a slice of history or discover something they didn’t know before.”