When reading Lisa See's books, it's apparent that she knows her subject matter. I felt I learned a great deal about Chinese beliefs regarding death and spirits when reading this historical fiction.

I only have one issue with Lisa See's novels...that without doing your own research on the different Chinese dynasties, it's hard to know the comparable Western time period about which she's writing.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it, however, I felt more of a connection to the characters in her novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.