Bookworm

[#1]

By Lisa See

In 19th century China, the perverse and painful practice of foot binding was still a part of a young girl’s childhood—if she wanted to marry into a good family. This story follows two women, bound as “old-sames”, or friends for life…

The story begins with Lily, the 80-year-old matriarch of her village. She brings us back to her childhood days when matchmaker’s were prized for their ability to find even the most headstrong girl a great husband. Marriages were designed for one purpose—to have sons. And so a young girl and her family begins the process of “improving” herself early on.

 “A lovely face is a gift from Heaven, but tiny feet can improve social standing,” explains the matchmaker.

The days of wading barefoot in a nearby stream ends for Lily at age six as the foot binding begins. It also begins her formal “laotong” relationship with Snow Flower, a young girl from another village. This type of friendship (made permanent with a written contract) was designed to provide companionship and a special bond with a soul mate, someone you could share your feelings and thoughts with throughout the course of your lifetime. This type relationship wasn’t shared with your husbands, who often took concubines, and many regarded their wives as second class citizens, there to do the work and bidding of his mother and household.

Education and calligraphy (the written communication style of the day) were luxuries held only for men. Women developed a secret writing of their own called nu shu. With this unique script, they could share their inner most thoughts with other women without fear of reprisal. With age comes wisdom. As Lily shares her story, she now understands the people and events of her life that truly mattered.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the insight Lisa See provides into the workings of everyday life in rural China.

About the Author: For Snowflower and the Secret Fan, Lisa See traveled to a remote area of China—where she was told she was only the second foreigner ever to visit—to research the secret writing invented, used, and kept a secret by women for over a thousand years. The novel became an internationally acclaimed hit and foreign-language rights have been sold to 38 countries. The novel also became a New York Times bestseller, a Booksense Number One Pick, and won numerous awards domestically and internationally. MGM Studios acquired the film rights. Lisa See says she has always been intrigued by stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up, whether in the past or happening right now in the world today.

Other novels by Lisa See (Bookworm’s take on each:  1-3 Stars) 

I must admit that I’m a junkie for Lisa See.  Her stories have a richness and a rhythm that puts you into the heart of these foreign worlds—and deep into the complex minds of each character. The books that have two stars are is not because they’re not great, it just might guide you in determing which See book you’d like to start on first.

Shanghai Girls is about two sisters, Pearl and May, who leave Shanghai in 1937 and go to Los Angeles in arranged marriages. It is a story of immigration, identity, war, and love, but at its heart, Shanghai Girls is a story of sisters.

Peony in Love (2007), which was an instant New York Times best seller, takes place in 17th-century China in the Yangzi River delta. It’s based on the true story of three “lovesick maidens,” who were married to the same man and who together wrote the first book of its kind to have been written and published anywhere in the world by women.

On Gold Mountain. See was born in Paris but grew up in Los Angeles. She lived with her mother, but spent a lot of time with her father’s family in Chinatown. Her first book, On Gold Mountain: The One Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family (1995), was a national bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book. The book traces the journey of Lisa’s great-grandfather, Fong See, who overcame obstacles at every step to become the 100-year-old godfather of Los Angeles’s Chinatown and the patriarch of a sprawling family.

Early Mystery-thrillers by Lisa See—Fascinating insight into the legal wrangling of modern China:

  Flower Net -

  The Interior (2000)

  Dragon Bones (2003)

Have you read one of Lisa See's novels?  If so, what were your thoughts?  Also, any favorite books to share? 

[#2]

I have this book on my "to read" list.  Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is another of this genre that I would recommend.  My book club in Wesley Chapel, FL just met to review A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff.  We all loved the charming story of a young professional opening a vintage dress shop in London. Satisfying and heartwarming - a good pick during the holiday season.  It is available in hard back and for e-readers.  

[#3]

I also loved Memoirs of a Geisha. I haven't read A Vintage Affair, but I'll put it on my to-read list.  A couple of other interesting books along that vein are The Concubine's Daughter by Denise Chong, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford and Women of the Pleasure Quarters by Lesley Downer. Like you, I love this genre of books. I find that learning about the daily rituals, challenges and nuances of these unique cultures in history fascinating.  Thanks for sharing!