PLOT
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.
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.
THOUGHTS
The amount of love and beauty that filled this novel was incredible. Lily was in every way a dutiful Chinese daughter and an obedient wife. In my favorite Lisa See fashion we follow Lily through her childhood and into old age. (Which I absolutely adore about her novels.)
Reading about a characters lifetime brings the readers closer to the characters. We relate with them and if we can't relate then we feel with them. It's an ingenuous writing idea. Nu shu is an ancient way of texting. (if that makes any sense) and like texting nu shu could be misinterpreted. The nineteenth-century didn't have emoji's to help the reader interpret the message, ergo tragedy. In a time when marriage wasn't meant for love a laotong relationship gave the women involved all the benefits of an emotional relationship.
A husband was your master, but your laotong was your life long partner. Imagine losing that. Imagine that pain. Now imagine having the opportunity of watching it grow. Snow Flower and The Secret Fan will give you that chance.
Reading books like this gives me the idea that I'm reading about another persons life.
(Yes I know these are fiction books but Lisa See does her research so accurately that it might as well be someones life.)
Think about it! Thousands and thousands of people around the world have lived full lives in every century. Many becoming forgotten through the years. These authors in a way give a voice to the lives forgotten, giving us the chance to experience their regrets, love, loss, and lessons.
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR LISA SEE
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON, BOOK DEPOSITORY, BARNES AND NOBLE
Reading about a characters lifetime brings the readers closer to the characters. We relate with them and if we can't relate then we feel with them. It's an ingenuous writing idea. Nu shu is an ancient way of texting. (if that makes any sense) and like texting nu shu could be misinterpreted. The nineteenth-century didn't have emoji's to help the reader interpret the message, ergo tragedy. In a time when marriage wasn't meant for love a laotong relationship gave the women involved all the benefits of an emotional relationship.
A husband was your master, but your laotong was your life long partner. Imagine losing that. Imagine that pain. Now imagine having the opportunity of watching it grow. Snow Flower and The Secret Fan will give you that chance.
Reading books like this gives me the idea that I'm reading about another persons life.
(Yes I know these are fiction books but Lisa See does her research so accurately that it might as well be someones life.)
Think about it! Thousands and thousands of people around the world have lived full lives in every century. Many becoming forgotten through the years. These authors in a way give a voice to the lives forgotten, giving us the chance to experience their regrets, love, loss, and lessons.
FOLLOW THE AUTHOR LISA SEE
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON, BOOK DEPOSITORY, BARNES AND NOBLE
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