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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is the first book I’ve read by Lisa See and I love her writing. The life of a young woman living during the Ming Dynasty is told with incredible detail.
When Yunxian’s mother dies, the eight-year-old goes to live with her father’s parents, who are doctors. Yunxian grows into the life expected of her, shaped by her status and religious traditions. She marries and moves into her wealthy mother-in-law’s home, carrying the heavy pressure of hoping for a son.
I felt the pain of women who each had a role to play and were treated as objects without agency. I also felt the strength of relationships between women sharing a household.
Yunxian’s friendship with the midwife Meiling becomes a lifeline. Through it, she finds a way to carry on her grandparents’ medical legacy, even while fulfilling her duties as a wife, mother, and future lady of the house. I especially loved how Yunxian’s care extended to every woman she treated from overworked laborers to the empress herself.
I appreciated that this story was inspired by a real doctor and her journals. Lisa See’s research was evident in her storytelling. From clothing to rituals, from foot binding to politics, I felt immersed in this young woman's life and invested in her relationships with her circle of women.
What a special book to learn about a group of people we rarely see articulated like this in novels or tv ❤️
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
4.5 ⭐️
This was so fucking good.
The characters were so interesting and it was a great to see the development throughout the book.
Also learned about foot binding - Jesus.
Absolutely recommend.
This was so fucking good.
The characters were so interesting and it was a great to see the development throughout the book.
Also learned about foot binding - Jesus.
Absolutely recommend.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
4,5 ⭐️ li posaria 5, però cap al final de la 2na part se m’ha fet una mica bola. la 1ra part, la 3ra i la 4ta, però, 10/10.
m’ha agradat molt la importància que se li dona a les relacions entre dones. a més, demostra moments en què les dones aconsegueixen ser fortes dins un sistema de merda.
“La amistad es un pacto entre dos corazones. Con los corazones unidos, las mujeres pueden reír y llorar, vivir y morir juntas.” “La vida sin una amiga es una vida sin sol. La vida sin una amiga es la muerte.”
m’ha agradat molt la importància que se li dona a les relacions entre dones. a més, demostra moments en què les dones aconsegueixen ser fortes dins un sistema de merda.
“La amistad es un pacto entre dos corazones. Con los corazones unidos, las mujeres pueden reír y llorar, vivir y morir juntas.” “La vida sin una amiga es una vida sin sol. La vida sin una amiga es la muerte.”