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babsbelovedbooks 's review for:

4.0

Beautiful, heartbreaking and bittersweet. Lisa See’s writing is a joy to read and her characters have so much dimension.

This story of two elite Chinese families in the 16th century touched my heart deeply. While I loved this novel, I still found many parts of it very painful to read—especially the topics on foot binding, infant (and adult) deaths and illnesses.

It was almost a relief when I finished the book. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a tribute to women doctors and midwives of that era. But, if you are sensitive like I am, you might find it a difficult, emotional read.

I just cannot resist reading Lisa See’s exquisite novels about early Chinese families.