Reviews

Peony in Love by Lisa See

tmathews0330's review

4.0

I struggled at moments with where the story was going. I didn't understand how someone could die so early in a story and still make a good story out of it. By the end, I was impressed with where she had taken it. And with the message that love does endure.

c1airebe4r's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

weird shit real cool

sksrenninger's review

3.0

I've felt similarly about all the Lisa See books that I've read: none of the major characters have been particularly sympathetic, and the plots have been at times very predictable, but for some reason I keep reading the books and keep thinking about them after I finish. A very strange mix of annoying and deeply thought-provoking (for me, anyway).

nderiley's review

3.0

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book as I'm not even certain how I came across it. Although I found the first part a bit depressing, I came out at the end buying into the fantasy and enjoying myself.

inni91's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

avalazarov's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

grinchem's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

Peony in Love was an interesting read. A lot of terrible things happen over the course of the book, but ultimately I think it achieves its goals. The meaning of "Peony in Love" evolves over the course of the story, as Peony herself grows and changes. I didn't necessarily like all of it, but it succeeded in invoking emotion throughout. This felt true to the intent, and it kept me engaged all the way through. Peony is tells a deeply heartfelt story, for better or for worse.

mxcoyote's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It's a sad book about love.

ovenbird_reads's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this. I know almost nothing about the history of China and have no idea if the author depicts 17th century China with any accuracy, but I can't really bring myself to care. The world created was vibrant, infused with ritual, and spectacularly colourful. The book is based on a true story and I was particularly drawn to the theme of women's voices, writing, and power that formed a major part of the narrative. A key theme is a desire to be heard that is so deep it transcends death itself. This is a ghost story, but also a very human tale of desire, love, tradition, repression, and intellect. It speaks to the transformative and even deadly power of the written word and the desire of repressed women to harness some of this energy.

Finally, this is just a good love story--tragic, heart-rending, dramatic. Makes Romeo and Juliet's devotion look laughable (and I never liked that story anyway!). This one is far better.

sleepyninja_'s review

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

absolutely loved the details about 17th century china, very well done. but jesus christ the main character was so god damn annoying. girly lived the most privileged life and starved herself because she THOUGHT she wasn't gonna marry her boo thang she spoke to 3 times. if u dislike miscommunication trope please do not read this.