Lily is haunted by memories–of who she once was, and of a person, long gone, who defined her existence. She has nothing but time now, as she recounts the tale of Snow Flower, and asks the gods for forgiveness. In nineteenth-century China, when wives and daughters were foot-bound and lived in almost total seclusion, the women in one remote Hunan county developed their own secret code for … secret code for communication: nu shu (“women’s writing”). Some girls were paired with laotongs, “old sames,” in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.
With the arrival of a silk fan on which Snow Flower has composed for Lily a poem of introduction in nu shu, their friendship is sealed and they become “old sames” at the tender age of seven. As the years pass, through famine and rebellion, they reflect upon their arranged marriages, loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their lifelong friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a brilliantly realistic journey back to an era of Chinese history that is as deeply moving as it is sorrowful. With the period detail and deep resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha, this lyrical and emotionally charged novel delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships: female friendship.
BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Lisa See’s Peony in Love.
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This was such a wonderfully intimate book about friendship. I shared it at a family gathering and it was passed around and devoured by several women before the weekend was through. Highly recommended.
I’ve always found language to be a tempestuous mistress. The twist that Lisa See creates, a simple misinterpretation of language, is very relatable in this age of frequent miscommunication via email, text, FB post, etc.
A beautiful book that is surprisingly tragic.
Informative, sensitive book about the difficult life of women in China in the eighteenth century. I felt their strengths and weaknesses, challenges and loves. The author draws you into their lives and relationships as if you are there with them. I learned a lot from this book and it made me very thankful to be living here now.
The characters in this book are richly drawn and detailed. The story is a historical fiction that provides information into the life of Chinese women and the process of foot binding and the complicated lives that these women lead due to it. It shows how two women became friends and then lost that most meaningful of relationships….a truly great …
Beautiful story that delves deep into women and their relationships in China in the 1800’s. Discusses roles, expectations, marriage, society, foot binding, (and much more). Wonderful insightful read!
I picked this up at the recommendation of some reviews I had read here on Goodreads. I really didn’t know what to expect, but as I really enjoyed “Memoirs of a Geisha” and moderately enjoyed “Snow Country” (which I am now planning on re-reading), I thought I would enjoy this book. I am also fascinated with Asian culture and have found myself drawn …
Wonderful way to learn about the culture of friendship in China. One of my top ten favorite top books.
I love all the books I read by Lisa See. Life isn’t always easy for people, some are forced to find ways to survive. This book stays with you.
A wonderful book, whether you enjoy historical fiction or not. Learn all about the ancient practice of foot binding.
This book made me a diehard Lisa See fan! No pun intended! One of the best books I’ve had the pleasure to read.
The writing in this book is so lyrical it’s almost poetry. A moving story filled with pathos, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan takes readers into the hidden world of 19th century Chinese women. Isolated, foot bound, constricted by rigid social conventions, and thought of as worthless, these women survived by forming powerful friendships aided by nu …
Very interesting book. I don’t usually read this genre, but it was very good.
A historical novel of simple stunning beauty. Marriage, friendship, and ritual. Ceremony of pairing two women as more than sisters for life. Love, loyalty, family obligations. A secret code, called nu shu. The agony of being a woman in mid-19th Century China! I never knew there was so much to be said about foot binding, but now I do.
Excellent read
This novel was a sorrowful one to read, but I was curious about the era of time in which it was set in Hunan, China. Lisa See did a good job with research and charactersization making it easy to suspend disbelief. Some people have compared the book to Memoirs of a Geisha, and while I found it a good read, it was in no way comparable to Arthur …
My favorite book of all time!
Loved it! Gave you a look into a culture few Americans know or understand.
One of my favorites
Excellent book about Chinese women devised a system of communication among themselves.
An intimate look into the lives of high born Chinese girls at the time of foot binding, and how that practice affected the lives of two dear friends.
If you enjoy reading about other cultures, other times, this book is for you.