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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I loved this book!!!!
Loved the read,if you like historical fiction about age old Chinese you’ll like this 1
Very interesting book about a culture from the past of which I was unaware. Interesting and memorable characters and story.
I really enjoyed this book, and finished in record time. Excellent!
One of my all time favorite books!!
I enjoy books about Asia because they transport me to a world I do not know. This book did the same. Lisa See is very good at this. I have read a few other books by her and enjoyed every one.
The study of a very close friendship was interesting to read. It showed how a misunderstanding over words could derail a lifelong friendship.
I recommend …
Lisa See is a captivating author. One of my favorites by See.
This is my second read for this book. And i still love it! Follow the cultural aspects of a young Chinese girl coping with bound feet, poverty and prejudice. Her only real friend is an astrocrat who enjoys her meals ever day instead of occasionally. They find a way to communicate and begin writing messages on a secret fan. No one must be aware of …
If you like historical fiction and the Asian culture, this is a must read!
Historical romances are not normally my “thing”. However, this book managed to capture my attention by its thorough historical research and the author’s deep insight into women in the era of China in which highborn little girl’s feet were bound. I had never been aware of just how horrific this practice is. The feet of girls six or seven years old …
I really enjoyed this book. Assuming it’s closely historical, I learned a lot about foot binding in China and other areas of the culture. Great read.
Educational about the time and culture in China…great story of love, obedience, loyalty and despair.
One of the best! Lisa See is an exceptional writer, who researches her stories for every detail to ensure authenticity and originality. What’s more, she is very personable — I enjoyed meeting her in person very much! I highly recommend all her books.
This was a wonderful book; I loved it. I recommend it highly.
A truly different kind of book! Informative and well researched, I couldn’t put it down.
Interesting time and place…fascinating. character development somewhat weak. good story line, very well-written.
A wonderful informative book on the practices that were forced upon women in China. It was so interesting to be transported to another culture and another time and yet See made the characters very empathetic to us today.
One of the best books I ever read. It’s like an updated version of “The Good Earth” and very readable
This story was compelling…I was sad when it ended, because I wanted it to never
end. It was so informative, and tragic. The author researched it well, and I found
myself so engrossed in the characters and the history behind the tradition of
foot-binding. To think that women needed to have their own communication
because they were so devoid of …
I was thorougly engrossed throughout. Lisa See tells a story of love, anger and disappointments embedded in history. It was fascinating to learn about a variety of Chinese customs and rituals. Characters were fully human and believable. I highly recommend this book.