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alexis (USA: PA) (2006/10/10):
If you enjoyed reading Memoirs of a Geisha then you will also enjoy this book! I thought it was a very insightful account of what Chinese women had to endure - not only physically with horrors like footbinding, but emotionally as well. And as it was (and sometimes still is) with women, they had to go through it all whether they were willing or not. In Memoirs, the story gives you a direct personal account of one girl's life, but it doesn't quite seem as rich to me as did Memoirs. The descriptions in Memoirs made every tiny thing seem exquisitely vivid while this book didn't quite achieve that level of vitality. The "scenery" in this story is great, but I think it focuses more on the sense of self that the protagonist comes into and her relationship with her "old same". It is, overall though, an excellent book and I definitely suggest reading it!
Becky (USA: CA) (2007/07/22):
Good book. The author did an incredible amount of research to write this book and it shows. If you like the historic oriental genre, you'll like this.
Karen (USA: WA) (2007/09/28):
A great book that packs alot into a smallish volume. Overall, fairly sad.
ZzzKATzzzz (USA: MA) (2007/11/19):
Snow Flower & Lily's friendship blossoms like flowers among the rocks of a high mountain. A delightful read!
Linda (USA: MT) (2008/04/02):
A book to remember, could not put it down.
Victoria (USA) (2008/04/11):
I was engaged in the beginning, but towards the resolution I became bored, then I was hooked again. Snow Flower and th Secret Fan is a great book, but I was somewhat maudlin when I read it.
Amy (USA: NY) (2008/09/25):
amazing book - don't miss it - if you loved Memoirs of a Geisha - you too will love this!
susanlynn (USA: TX) (2009/05/26):
loved this book, could not put it down.
Teresa (USA: AL) (2009/09/06):
Loved it! The author did a great deal of research and it clearly comes across in her writing. Very emotional and heart-felt. I found myself reaching for the kleenex box several times.
pinkilili (Finland) (2009/12/04):
Here's two very different books which both have the concept of friendship woven into them. First, Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I was dying to read this one because I absolutely loved Peony in Love by the same author. I'm sure it was the hungry ghosts that facinated me because even though the story of Snowflower was very moving and it did captivate me, I didn't find it as extraordinary.Lily lives in 19th Century China in a poor farming family. Her life turns around when it becomes obvious that her feet have potential! What this means is that her feet can be shaped into the most beautiful lily feet with footbinding and thanks to this she has the possibility of securing a successful marriage contract. I'm always interested to read about footbinding, it's difficult to imagine anyone surviving something so painful. The girls go through the ordeal which takes years. Imagine what the girls in China went through to please men and secure their marriages! Because of Lily's beautiful feet, a laotong match is made with two girls - Lily and Snowflower. Snowflower is a girl from a wealthy family who is to educate Lily into a more refined lifestyle. Laotong means "old same" and old sames are girls of the same age who are expected to marry successfully. They are to be of support to each other while trying to navigate through life. The girls start their friendship by writing secret messages to each other in nu shu. Nu shu is an ancient language the Chinese women created to communicate with each other. Nu shu is in an important role in the book, binding the girls together and later causing a misunderstanding that threatens to break their bond forever. Lily guides you through a story of courage, love, heartbreak and friendship. Lisa See never fails to captivate!
Keisha Simpson (USA: CA) (2010/10/27):
This book has been the best book I've read in months! It really grasped me and let me learn about old time Chinese culture....I highly reccomend.
blklacquer (USA: TX) (2011/03/24):
If you want to read a book that will take you to another time, place and culture this is it! This is my first time reading Lisa See and I really enjoyed it. It was a slow read for me because I wanted to really understand what I was reading and take time out to absorb the culture which is interesting. I felt so much pain for the girls growing up and also the women who endured. I was hurt when Lily "turned" and the ending was unexpected. I recommend this book.
Tabitha (USA: AL) (2011/12/02):
I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. While I felt I learned a lot about the Chinese history of foot binding and the women's secret language, I felt the book to be missing something overall. The resolution was very unsatisfying - indeed the whole novel was a bit unsatisfying. The women were so oppressed they didn't even realize they were being treated badly. And for all the effort the author put into the beginning, the ending seemed uneventful and boring. Would not read again.
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