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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
I was challenged by this book from beginning to end. There were countless moments where I felt my 2023 perspective coming in hard. Why wasn't the protagonist more "feministy" by my current standards? I had to step back and recognize that what See has accomplished here is work of historical fiction so true to the actual history, so true to the real way a woman in the protagonist's position would weave through society to accomplish her aims, so true to the real concerns that she would have based on the pressures and realities of the current moment. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging masterpiece.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Amazing! I did not want to put this book down. Set in 1500s China, Lady Tan learns how to be a doctor for women from her grandparents while also trying to fulfill her duties as a girl from an elite family whose main job is to provide her husband with an heir. I thought all the ancient medicine, customs and inner workings of these families was super interesting. I loved how despite a woman’s only job was to have and raise kids (ideally sons), the friendship and relationships between all the women was what felt the most important.
I haven’t read many historical fictions, and now I fear I’ve set the bar too high. It felt so truly real. Very well researched and I learned a lot.
Serious. Dramatic. And doesn’t shy away from the gritty or upsetting sides of women’s struggles. While still showing the life, beauty and strength of women.
I wasn’t going to post a review at first because it did seem a little slow paced. But I’m still thinking about this book even months later.
Serious. Dramatic. And doesn’t shy away from the gritty or upsetting sides of women’s struggles. While still showing the life, beauty and strength of women.
I wasn’t going to post a review at first because it did seem a little slow paced. But I’m still thinking about this book even months later.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Medical content, Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Miscarriage, Abortion, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic
I finished this book yesterday, and I keep reaching for it hoping for more pages to appear
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
challenging
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes