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A review by book_concierge
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
5.0
Our own "sworn sisterhood" (book club) had much to discuss on the topic of "footbinding" and other ways modern women are "bound."
See takes us to 19th century rural China, when marriages were arranged, feet bound and having sons was a woman's only means of achieving purpose in life. Lily and Snow Flower become "old sames" (Laotong) at age 7 and pledge their never-ending love and devotion. They communicate using "nu shu" - a secret women's language - writing verses in the folds of a fan. But a misunderstanding of the purposely vague language causes a nearly irreparable rift.
I'm not sure I like Lily at all - she is so self-rigtheous. But then, all she ever sought was unconditional love - someone to love her despite her faults.
An extraordinary book! Highly recommended.
See takes us to 19th century rural China, when marriages were arranged, feet bound and having sons was a woman's only means of achieving purpose in life. Lily and Snow Flower become "old sames" (Laotong) at age 7 and pledge their never-ending love and devotion. They communicate using "nu shu" - a secret women's language - writing verses in the folds of a fan. But a misunderstanding of the purposely vague language causes a nearly irreparable rift.
I'm not sure I like Lily at all - she is so self-rigtheous. But then, all she ever sought was unconditional love - someone to love her despite her faults.
An extraordinary book! Highly recommended.