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book_dragon_julia's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this book. I love fiction and non fiction about Asia
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Audio book narrated by Janet Song
In 17th century China, Peony has grown up as the only child of the wealthy Chen family. Her father is a scholar and he has encouraged his daughter’s love of books, opera and poetry. Now, two days before her sixteenth birthday, the household is preparing for a presentation of the famous Chinese opera – The Peony Pavilion, and her father has made special arrangements so that women will be able to hear the performance. The opera is controversial because many young maidens have been lured to their deaths by the strong emotions engendered by the love story.
This is a very Chinese story. Steeped in the long-held traditions of ancestor worship, belief in spirits and strict societal roles, See manages to present a story that celebrates feminism and the women writers who are all but forgotten today. I found it difficult to engage in the novel because of this deep tradition; it was, simply put, too foreign to me. I kept judging Peony and the other characters by my present-day standards. I was irritated by the restrictions she and other women so easily accepted. I caught on to several plot twists long before Peony realized them. I just had to keep reminding myself of her sheltered upbringing, her youth and inexperience.
Song’s narration didn’t help this. She has a slow, almost ponderous delivery, which just did not breathe any life into the work.
What I found most interesting was the author note at the very end of the book. See’s assignment to do a magazine piece about Lincoln Center’s full-length production of The Peony Pavilion led her to information about the lovesick maidens. Intrigued, she did further research and found a wealth of information about the accomplished women writers in China. I appreciate that she tried to pay homage to them in this work, but I think the story got away from her.
In 17th century China, Peony has grown up as the only child of the wealthy Chen family. Her father is a scholar and he has encouraged his daughter’s love of books, opera and poetry. Now, two days before her sixteenth birthday, the household is preparing for a presentation of the famous Chinese opera – The Peony Pavilion, and her father has made special arrangements so that women will be able to hear the performance. The opera is controversial because many young maidens have been lured to their deaths by the strong emotions engendered by the love story.
This is a very Chinese story. Steeped in the long-held traditions of ancestor worship, belief in spirits and strict societal roles, See manages to present a story that celebrates feminism and the women writers who are all but forgotten today. I found it difficult to engage in the novel because of this deep tradition; it was, simply put, too foreign to me. I kept judging Peony and the other characters by my present-day standards. I was irritated by the restrictions she and other women so easily accepted. I caught on to several plot twists long before Peony realized them. I just had to keep reminding myself of her sheltered upbringing, her youth and inexperience.
Song’s narration didn’t help this. She has a slow, almost ponderous delivery, which just did not breathe any life into the work.
What I found most interesting was the author note at the very end of the book. See’s assignment to do a magazine piece about Lincoln Center’s full-length production of The Peony Pavilion led her to information about the lovesick maidens. Intrigued, she did further research and found a wealth of information about the accomplished women writers in China. I appreciate that she tried to pay homage to them in this work, but I think the story got away from her.
tmathews0330's review against another edition
4.0
I struggled at moments with where the story was going. I didn't understand how someone could die so early in a story and still make a good story out of it. By the end, I was impressed with where she had taken it. And with the message that love does endure.
c1airebe4r's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
weird shit real cool
sksrenninger's review against another edition
3.0
I've felt similarly about all the Lisa See books that I've read: none of the major characters have been particularly sympathetic, and the plots have been at times very predictable, but for some reason I keep reading the books and keep thinking about them after I finish. A very strange mix of annoying and deeply thought-provoking (for me, anyway).
nderiley's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book as I'm not even certain how I came across it. Although I found the first part a bit depressing, I came out at the end buying into the fantasy and enjoying myself.
inni91's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
avalazarov's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
grinchem's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Peony in Love was an interesting read. A lot of terrible things happen over the course of the book, but ultimately I think it achieves its goals. The meaning of "Peony in Love" evolves over the course of the story, as Peony herself grows and changes. I didn't necessarily like all of it, but it succeeded in invoking emotion throughout. This felt true to the intent, and it kept me engaged all the way through. Peony is tells a deeply heartfelt story, for better or for worse.