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What Members Thought
I enjoyed this book as an effort to look into women's lives in China at the time. I found the characters somewhat flat - they seemed sort of like inanimate objects moving over a beautiful scenery and background and I never developed much feeling for them. Nonetheless, the scenery and background were interesting enough to hold the book together for me. The descriptions of foot binding were both gut-wrenching and sensitively treated - raising important questions about what beauty is and how it is
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I know this is hailed as a fantastic book, but I struggled with it. However, I will say much of what I struggled with was the restrictive culture and customs of 19th Century China, specifically in regard to women, and the fact that this was so well represented likely means the book was very well written. With all that in mind, I didn't look forward to this book, I didn't particularly like many of the character and I had great difficulty putting myself in their places. I probably wouldn't have la
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The story is about Lily and Snow Flower who are paired as laotongs and communicate through nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created to communicate in secret. The story takes their friendship from the beginning of the laotong pairing to the winter of their lives. See weaves the history of the time in with the novel which makes the story even more intriguing. This was a very unique and interesting read. I have always thought Chinese culture was very mysterious. I think Lisa See reveale
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Aug 30, 2009
Sunflower
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
library,
fiction-read-2009
From this book I learned to be grateful that I can walk as far as I want to on my feet. Sounds daft, but this novel skilfully plunges the reader into the world of women in rural China in the 18th century. The secret language of nu shu, footbinding and living a life almost entirely indoors, as well as the subjugation not only to the husband but to his entire family.....so far removed from your everyday life now. It's a pity that the sworn sisterhood hasn't survived, I could surely do with one at
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An interesting, worthwhile book to read
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy reading about history and other cultures, even though it makes me real mad about the treatment these woment get dealt. This book was real written and I enjoyed all of this book, and I will re-read it again sometime.
A wonderful story of a lifelong friendship. A clear accounting of the suffering of women in the early 19th century in China. I enjoyed this quite a bit and the narration was well done.
A delightful, sometimes sad novel about 19th century China. I gave it to one of my Chinese friends to read.
Mar 09, 2008
Jenn
marked it as to-read
Apr 02, 2008
Natalya
marked it as to-read
Jan 09, 2009
Jade17
marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2010
Leigh Ann
marked it as to-read
Jul 10, 2010
Slayermel
marked it as to-read
