Lady Tan’s Circle of Women in Mark Twain House's Reading Challenge

Mar 21, 2024 Joan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, women-s-fiction, historical-fiction, world-culture

A fascinating look into the lives of (mostly) upper-class women during the Ming Dynasty (15th century) in China.

Tan Yunxian lost her mother at an early age and was raised by her wealthy maternal grandparents, who were both doctors, and were training her in their profession. Chinese medicine was far more advanced in many ways at this time than Western medicine, and this well-researched novel brings us into a world where male and female doctors (who existed, but were rare) played very different r A fascinating look into the lives of (mostly) upper-class women during the Ming Dynasty (15th century) in China.

Tan Yunxian lost her mother at an early age and was raised by her wealthy maternal grandparents, who were both doctors, and were training her in their profession. Chinese medicine was far more advanced in many ways at this time than Western medicine, and this well-researched novel brings us into a world where male and female doctors (who existed, but were rare) played very different roles. Women were also midwives but this was not a profession practiced by upper-class women, though midwives played an important role in all women's lives.

Yunxian was "married out" at 15, to the son of another even more wealthy family, who lived in a vast compound. Not only did she have to leave her beloved grandparents, but also her only friend, Meiling, the daughter of a midwife. While women played subservient roles to the men in their lives, and men could take multiple wives, concubines, and consorts, when a young wife moved into her husband's family home, she soon learned the hierarchy of the women in that household, which would be headed by the wife of the most senior man.

The societal roles and rules of China, especially of the upper classes, were extremely rigid, especially for women and girls. Every aspect of appearance and behavior was scrutinized.

In this novel, we follow Yunxian through all of her life stages, her marriage and children, her medical studies and eventual practice, her relationships with her mother-in-law, the other women in the household and so much more. The writing is so rich, exploring her physical, emotional and mental states, and we are introduced to the Chinese terminology used for the female body, its functions, and development through the stages of aging. The author includes highly-detailed descriptions of the settings, the furnishings, the foods, clothing, and of the herbs and materials Yunxian uses in her medical analysis and practice. The reader is immersed in all aspects of Yunxian's inner and outer life.

It was fascinating to look through this window into such a sophisticated culture, which was amazingly advanced, elaborately structured, and so far beyond what most of Europe would have known at the time. At the same time, the author creates a deep feeling of sympathy and understanding for Yunxian and the challenges she faces and confronts.

A satisfying and illuminating book – highly recommend!

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Aug 18, 2024 Janet Smith rated it really liked it

Another wonderful historical fiction by Lisa See. Set in 15th century China the novel is at times graphic in its description of pain and suffering but mostly it’s an amazing window into the lives of women at that place and time.

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Jan 08, 2024 Nancy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle

I love learning about history but must admit that both my education and personal choices have neglected most East Asian people and places. Lisa See has provided some education.

I still think of Jeju and The Island of Sea Women frequently. I believe that Lady Tan’s Circle of Women will also stay with me. The writing is clear, descriptive and evokes time and place. A great novel.

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Jan 29, 2024 Aniko Nagyne vig rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-clubs, curious-cat-book-clubs

Great historical story, about a Chinese female doctor of the 15th century. The shocking details of less known details of the values of back then, like the suffering of girls to bind their feet as a beauty and wealth symbol. The hierarchy between a family compound’s inhabitants, the level of bureaucrats, the depth in knowledge of the body, but divided by rules, are all a great eye opener of the controversial values, both modern and traditional.
I loved the main driving force as the friendship and ...more

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