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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Beyond the insane amount of research that must have gone into writing this book, I loved how the writer set up the larger plot of deception and betrayal within the Tan house. I was so engrossed in the historical details and world-building, that I didn't even recognize what was being set up early on.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was good, interesting read about Chinese social culture in the 15th century. The practices were, of course, barbaric to me, but I appreciate the glimpse into a culture I didn’t know about.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book ended up being more gripping than anticipated. A good peak into the culture at the time and how women were constrained no matter their social standing. Very good.
This book was fantastic. I read it for a book club, and going in I expected not to like it—mainly because I knew it would include ancient medical practices and descriptions of foot binding, something I already knew too much about. But I was pleasantly surprised by the story itself and how meaningful it was to see a woman pursue medicine in China during the 1400s and 1500s. I found it fascinating to learn about the natural ingredients and plants that were used for healing, how births were facilitated, and how the body’s qi was believed to affect health.
The characters were another highlight. Most of Yunxian’s (Lady Tan’s) circle of women were deeply complex, and their influence on her life—whether positive or negative—shaped who she became. I also appreciated the insight into the roles women held in noble families, even when those roles felt harsh or outdated.
Overall, Lisa See’s writing made this novel completely absorbing, and I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially if you’re interested in women’s lives and medicine in history.
The characters were another highlight. Most of Yunxian’s (Lady Tan’s) circle of women were deeply complex, and their influence on her life—whether positive or negative—shaped who she became. I also appreciated the insight into the roles women held in noble families, even when those roles felt harsh or outdated.
Overall, Lisa See’s writing made this novel completely absorbing, and I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially if you’re interested in women’s lives and medicine in history.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes