Reviews - Lady Tan's Circle of Women

6.3k reviews for:

Lady Tan's Circle of Women

Lisa See

4.26 AVERAGE

dustybookstorecats's review against another edition

4.0

relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

amalies's review against another edition

4.0

This book was a good historical fiction book of the women of China who were married to the more wealthy men and the perspective of their world within the walls of their home. It was based a lot on the health practices of the doctors of the 14 and 1500's and how it was intertwined with their religious beliefs. It is based on the true story of a woman that lived in the Ming Dynasty and the trials she faced through her life as she became a female doctor at the time. It was a very easy, quick read and I really did enjoy learning more about the history of that time period that the social aspects of the country.

mangocult's review against another edition

5.0

The first line of my private notes, as I attempted to collect my thoughts so that I could write a later review: "I AM BROKEN."

It took ages for my turn to come after joining the hold queue at my local library, but Lady Tan's Circle of Women was entirely worth the wait (and then some). This is quite possibly - most probably - one of the best books I have ever read. Something about the eponymous Lady Tan simultaneously made me feel held and made me want to hold her. I was captivated.

As noted in the preface, the science was questionable, but the atmosphere was otherwise magical and almost otherworldly even when the story boiled down to the most basic and common of struggles: enough food to eat. illnesses to survive. children to birth and to raise.

I can't wait to read this again.

jennifercerio's review against another edition

5.0

informative reflective 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: No

Content Warnings

ursularae's review against another edition

4.5

emotional informative sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

loved this book. dragged just a little in the middle but beginning and ending had me locked in. I wanted more feminist gains but I think they would have been deeply unrealistic in the setting/cultural climate in which this book takes place.

molyoskibo's review against another edition

5.0

I LOVED this book! Historical fiction is such a gem of a genre when it’s done well. I learned a lot but beyond that, the writing was superb. I also enjoyed the rare occasion (ha) of reading about 85% of it from my physical copy - a rare treat.

susiesmith96's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book was so incredibly interesting, engaging, and informative. I don’t frequently read historical fiction, but this book is convincing me to! I felt swept up in the world, connected to the characters, and like I was learning. None of the phony plot set in a historic place but like I was reading the most engaging historical tale. Marvelous!