Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
Lisa See is the author of Flower Net (an Edgar Award nominee), The Interior, and Dragon Bones, as well as the critically acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain. The Organization of Chinese American Women named her the 2001 National Woman of the Year. She lives in Los Angeles.
From the Hardcover edition.
In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men. As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared 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 deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.
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Additional Product Information
- ISBN: 9780812968064
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588 Reviews
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 11, 2008 Type: User Review |
Pretty good read
I picked up this book per recommendation and was pleased with the read. I was a bit intrigued by the whole foot binding thing and was a bit dissapointed that there was not more detail involved with the process of it. The story was quite warming,...
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 4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 09, 2008 Type: User Review |
Strives for poignancy but fails
I have to admit I'm surprised at the largely positive reviews this book has garnered. The topic is certainly fascinating with its focus on the "laotong" (lifelong friendship between two women) relationship in 19th century China with a backdrop of...
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 2.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 09, 2008 Type: User Review |
One of the best I've read this year!
Snow Flower & the Secret Fan was chosen by my book club and I am glad for this, otherwise I might have missed out on this treasure. This is a beautifully written book about the strength of women during a period of time that they were believed to...
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 5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 07, 2008 Type: User Review |
The story doesn't quite soar
"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" is a fictional account of two 19th-century Chinese women who, as youngsters, swore to be "laotong" or eternal friends. This bond, we're told, is stronger than that of child to parent, wife to husband, and is...
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2.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 05, 2008 Type: User Review |
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
This is one of the best books I've read in years. A truly different kind of story of a different place and time than I knew much about. It was engaging and unforgettable!
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 01, 2008 Type: User Review |
Great book!
This was a book club pick for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved learning about the lifestyle and traditions of China in the 1800-1900's. It is a sad, touching, beautifally written story.
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 30, 2008 Type: User Review |
Powerful, moving & beautifully written...
Every once in awhile, I read the first page of a novel and know that I am reading something truly awesome. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is an unbelievably powerful and moving book about friendship in 19th Century China.
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 28, 2008 Type: User Review |
Book Club liked it
This is a readable story and a window to the oppressive nature of pre-19th century pagan culture in China. Highly recommended.
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 27, 2008 Type: User Review |
back to china
I thought that the book was very well written and very interesting subject that I have always wondered about. I found that the way the chinese women lived to be most interesting..
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4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: May 27, 2008 Type: User Review |
Great Book
It was a great story, though which I learned so many new things about the Chinese culture. Very much appreciated the book.
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5.00/5 |
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