Scan barcode
nizzlebee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
eggjen's review against another edition
3.0
There were things I liked about this one and other things I didn't like. I felt like the plot on a whole was very interesting and unique but sometimes the main character seemed way too slow to pick up on really obvious things. I much prefered See's previous book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan but it was still a good book for the most part.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
4.0
I devoured this book - the culture intrigued me and I was completely enamored by Peony. It requires some imagination to read, taking on the belief system of a society that is a bit unfamiliar and seemingly far fetched, but I loved it.
audreychiao's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars. I started this book expecting to read a romantic historical fiction. Instead, I read a historical fiction about hopeful women with limited choices who assert their self-determination by causing harm to themselves and others.
At first I was so frustrated and couldn’t believe I was reading a story about a girl who loves so blindly. It hurt to see the main character, Peony, act and feel the way she did. I realized this was purposeful for her character development. I’m so glad the book turned out differently than it started.
I also enjoyed reading the author’s note to learn of Lisa See’s inspirations.
At first I was so frustrated and couldn’t believe I was reading a story about a girl who loves so blindly. It hurt to see the main character, Peony, act and feel the way she did. I realized this was purposeful for her character development. I’m so glad the book turned out differently than it started.
I also enjoyed reading the author’s note to learn of Lisa See’s inspirations.
biota's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
3.0
I give Lisa See's latest novel Peony in Love 3.5 stars, but since goodreads doesn't support 1/2 stars AND I am feeling generous, I will round it up to 4.
Good things about this book:
1) Obviously well researched on 17th century China, in particular the lives of women of that time.
2) A new euphenism for S-E-X: Clouds and rain
3) Made me happy to have been born in 20th century America where I can wear my size 8 kitten heels without being ashamed of the size of my GIGANTIC feet.
Not so good things, in my opinion:
1) The first part of the book was a bit slow going with all its talk of the plot of the opera The Peony Pavilion.
2) I never really connected with the main character Peony she seemed boring and dull... forever mooning for her one true love that she met for all of 5 minutes.
3) I felt See kept pounding it into my skull how much Peony's life followed the plot of Peony in Love. I get the point already!
Good things about this book:
1) Obviously well researched on 17th century China, in particular the lives of women of that time.
2) A new euphenism for S-E-X: Clouds and rain
3) Made me happy to have been born in 20th century America where I can wear my size 8 kitten heels without being ashamed of the size of my GIGANTIC feet.
Not so good things, in my opinion:
1) The first part of the book was a bit slow going with all its talk of the plot of the opera The Peony Pavilion.
2) I never really connected with the main character Peony she seemed boring and dull... forever mooning for her one true love that she met for all of 5 minutes.
3) I felt See kept pounding it into my skull how much Peony's life followed the plot of Peony in Love. I get the point already!
book_dragon_julia's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book. I love fiction and non fiction about Asia
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Audio book narrated by Janet Song
In 17th century China, Peony has grown up as the only child of the wealthy Chen family. Her father is a scholar and he has encouraged his daughter’s love of books, opera and poetry. Now, two days before her sixteenth birthday, the household is preparing for a presentation of the famous Chinese opera – The Peony Pavilion, and her father has made special arrangements so that women will be able to hear the performance. The opera is controversial because many young maidens have been lured to their deaths by the strong emotions engendered by the love story.
This is a very Chinese story. Steeped in the long-held traditions of ancestor worship, belief in spirits and strict societal roles, See manages to present a story that celebrates feminism and the women writers who are all but forgotten today. I found it difficult to engage in the novel because of this deep tradition; it was, simply put, too foreign to me. I kept judging Peony and the other characters by my present-day standards. I was irritated by the restrictions she and other women so easily accepted. I caught on to several plot twists long before Peony realized them. I just had to keep reminding myself of her sheltered upbringing, her youth and inexperience.
Song’s narration didn’t help this. She has a slow, almost ponderous delivery, which just did not breathe any life into the work.
What I found most interesting was the author note at the very end of the book. See’s assignment to do a magazine piece about Lincoln Center’s full-length production of The Peony Pavilion led her to information about the lovesick maidens. Intrigued, she did further research and found a wealth of information about the accomplished women writers in China. I appreciate that she tried to pay homage to them in this work, but I think the story got away from her.
In 17th century China, Peony has grown up as the only child of the wealthy Chen family. Her father is a scholar and he has encouraged his daughter’s love of books, opera and poetry. Now, two days before her sixteenth birthday, the household is preparing for a presentation of the famous Chinese opera – The Peony Pavilion, and her father has made special arrangements so that women will be able to hear the performance. The opera is controversial because many young maidens have been lured to their deaths by the strong emotions engendered by the love story.
This is a very Chinese story. Steeped in the long-held traditions of ancestor worship, belief in spirits and strict societal roles, See manages to present a story that celebrates feminism and the women writers who are all but forgotten today. I found it difficult to engage in the novel because of this deep tradition; it was, simply put, too foreign to me. I kept judging Peony and the other characters by my present-day standards. I was irritated by the restrictions she and other women so easily accepted. I caught on to several plot twists long before Peony realized them. I just had to keep reminding myself of her sheltered upbringing, her youth and inexperience.
Song’s narration didn’t help this. She has a slow, almost ponderous delivery, which just did not breathe any life into the work.
What I found most interesting was the author note at the very end of the book. See’s assignment to do a magazine piece about Lincoln Center’s full-length production of The Peony Pavilion led her to information about the lovesick maidens. Intrigued, she did further research and found a wealth of information about the accomplished women writers in China. I appreciate that she tried to pay homage to them in this work, but I think the story got away from her.
tmathews0330's review against another edition
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.