NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A complex period tapestry inscribed with the age-old tragedy of love and death.”—The New York Times Book Review “I finally understand what the poets have written. In spring, moved to passion; in autumn only regret.”In seventeenth-century China, in an elaborate villa on the shores of Hangzhou’s West Lake, Peony lives a sheltered life. One night, during a theatrical … lives a sheltered life. One night, during a theatrical performance in her family’s garden, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man and is immediately overcome with emotion. So begins Peony’s unforgettable journey of love and destiny, desire and sorrow, the living world and the afterworld. Eventually expelled from all she’s known, Peony is thrust into a realm where hungry ghosts wander the earth, written words have the power to hurt and kill, and dreams are as vivid as waking life. Lisa See’s novel, based on actual historical events, evokes vividly another time and place—where three generations of women become enmeshed in a dramatic story, uncover past secrets and tragedies, and learn that love can transcend death. Peony in Love will make you ache in heart and mind for young Peony and all the women of the world who want to be heard.
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls.
Praise for Peony in Love
“Electrifying . . . a fascinating and often surprising story of women helping women, women hurting women and women misunderstanding each other.”—The Miami Herald
“See mines an intriguing vein of Chinese history . . . weaving fact and fiction into a dense romantic tapestry of time and place as she meditates on the meaning of love, the necessity of self-expression and the influence of art.”—Los Angeles Times
“A transporting read, to lost worlds earthly and otherwise.”—Chicago Tribune
“A quietly beautiful tale that sneaks into the reader’s heart . . . Not since Susie Salmon of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones has a ghostly narrator been as believable and empathetic.”—San Antonio Express-News
“There’s much here to be savored and a great deal to be learned.”—The Washington Post Book World
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I think this is Lisa See’s best book. It’s magical and enthralling. The characters tell an amazing story set in a turbulent time in China’s history. And her research was astonishing. I was sorry to reach the last page!
I’ve never read or listened to anything by Lisa See, so this was my first for one of my club’s challenge. The story is set in Manchu, China and it is of a girl named Peony who is now of marriagable age. She is 15-years old and is fascinated and in love with the opera, The Peony Pavilion. This opera happens to be hosted by her father and is about a …
Definitely a strane premise. A little sad but still enjoyable.
Another in the Lisa See series. I love all these books, each is unique as is each protagonist in her stories. Each woman she writes about has a different story, unique experiences, and something fascinating to teach us. I can’t say enough about them I was neverdisappointed.
One of the oddest books I’ve read. Lisa See is one of my favorite authors and everything she writes is worth reading. That said, this was my least favorite of her books.
Couldn’t put it down .
I have read other Lisa See books and really enjoyed them, but I did not enjoy this novel. I love historical fiction and learning about different places and cultures. This novel had too much superstition. I get the time period, but it was a lot. I tired of the rituals and beliefs. I needed more than just a young girl falling in love and …
The first Lisa See book that I read. I was impressed with the depth of the characters and her descriptions of China. She took me there, the mark of a good author.
again… lisa see is a wonderful writer and i always learn so much from her books
I liked this book for the cultural references. I did not like that the whole book revolved around some drama named the Peony Pavilion. The narration was interesting but it seemed very slow going at times. 3/5 stars.
As I start this review, I haven’t rated this book yet. I am so conflicted between what I liked about this book and what I really didn’t. I am hoping through the process of composing this review I will reach a conclusion.
I confess that I read the Author’s Note at the end before I read the actual story of Peony. I’m glad that I did, because it …
Learn a lot about Chinese history and culture especially with respect to women
Very good book by a wonderful author
Although well written and researched, this book was not a page-turner. I truly like Lisa See’s other books because they have substance and are very well writtten, full of history, and all have a great story line…….except this one. It was very boring and I found myself skipping pages multiple times.
After reading snow flower and the secret fan, this was a huge huge disappointment.
I love her books you are reansported to a world of Japanese life so well done
Sooooo slowwewww. Sorry but I couldn’t finish it.
As a study in Chinese culture, religious practices and family structure, this was a most interesting read. I loved the first part…..but found the parts about floating souls less interesting. A well written look into a totally different culture.
another Lisa See winner! Loved this book
3 out of 5 stars to Lisa See’s Peony in Love, a historical fiction book released in 2007 by Random House set in 17th century China.
Why This Book
I found it sitting on a bookshelf in my condo’s laundry room. I read the jacket description, which sounded like a beautiful tale of love, emotions and a little bit of history. I brought it home with …