Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
informative
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
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so enjoyable!! My husband is lineage trained as a TCM herbalist so I really enjoyed the formulas discussed. I recognized the herbs and have a pretty good understanding of the terminology and thought process of TCM. To my untrained ear, I believe the recommendations are still correct for today. Regardless, I fell in love with this story and the characters in it.
I highly recommend this book with the caveat that understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine, at least on a surface level, is very helpful. But past that the characters are so engaging and interesting. An example that the trials of being a woman don’t change with the times. We still go through the same cycles in life. This is relatable across the ages.
I highly recommend this book with the caveat that understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine, at least on a surface level, is very helpful. But past that the characters are so engaging and interesting. An example that the trials of being a woman don’t change with the times. We still go through the same cycles in life. This is relatable across the ages.
emotional
informative
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
fantastic story abt female friendships and reproductive health. learned a TON about 15th century china and the role of women in ancient chinese societies— they knew about and how to prevent infection, took birth control, honestly had a massive amount of knowledge that women were able to use in practice as physicians. I want to do a deep dive on Lady Tan, the real life 15th century female doctor this book was based on. will be reading many more Lisa See books soon!!!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
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
It's been over ten years since I read a book by Lisa See and I found Lady Tan's Circle of Women disappointing.
The good:
I loved learning about 14th century China. I found myself doing additional research on foot binding and eunuchs. I was amazed at the small world of a affluent women living in China and how accepted concubines were.
The main character had flaws and showed a willingness to change.
The female friendship was awesome and I liked how See showed how jealousy can influence a friendship. Both characters were realistically jealous of each other.
The good and bad:
I loved the Lisa See made these characters realistic to the time. The main character didn't question the absolute necessity and beauty of feet binding. She may have been jealous of her unbound friend's ability to move, but never of her unbound feet. I read so many historical fiction novels where the main character thinks overly modern. However, this did make a frustrating reading experience at times as there was so much unquestioned sexism.
The bad:
The characters often felt and acted robotic. It's hard to root for characters that don't feel real.
The story itself was super slow. If I would have felt more connected to the characters, this wouldn't have been as much of a problem.
The mystery element of the book fell a little flat for me.
3.25 Stars.
The good:
I loved learning about 14th century China. I found myself doing additional research on foot binding and eunuchs. I was amazed at the small world of a affluent women living in China and how accepted concubines were.
The main character had flaws and showed a willingness to change.
The female friendship was awesome and I liked how See showed how jealousy can influence a friendship. Both characters were realistically jealous of each other.
The good and bad:
I loved the Lisa See made these characters realistic to the time. The main character didn't question the absolute necessity and beauty of feet binding. She may have been jealous of her unbound friend's ability to move, but never of her unbound feet. I read so many historical fiction novels where the main character thinks overly modern. However, this did make a frustrating reading experience at times as there was so much unquestioned sexism.
The bad:
The characters often felt and acted robotic. It's hard to root for characters that don't feel real.
The story itself was super slow. If I would have felt more connected to the characters, this wouldn't have been as much of a problem.
The mystery element of the book fell a little flat for me.
3.25 Stars.
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A Song This Book Reminded Me Of: I'm Only Me When I'm With You by Taylor Swift