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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Lisa See

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Jun 18, 2011 Shoshanah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I haven't actually read that many books that take place in China, but everything I have read I've really enjoyed. I was assigned to read Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth in middle school, which I enjoyed so much I went on to read the sequels. A few months ago a read another of Lisa See's books, Shanghai Girls, which while only part of it takes place in China itself it is still about the Chinese culture and traditions. With this background I was expecting to enjoy this book as well, and I'm happy t I haven't actually read that many books that take place in China, but everything I have read I've really enjoyed. I was assigned to read Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth in middle school, which I enjoyed so much I went on to read the sequels. A few months ago a read another of Lisa See's books, Shanghai Girls, which while only part of it takes place in China itself it is still about the Chinese culture and traditions. With this background I was expecting to enjoy this book as well, and I'm happy to say I wasn't let down.

Lily is a young girl being raised by a farmer in the remote Hunan county. At 7-years-old she is lucky enough to enter a contract of lifelong friendship, a laotong, with another young girl Snow Flower. She receives her first message from Snow Flower on a fan, which they then use to record the history of the friends the highs and lows of their lives both together and apart.

Simply put, I loved this book. Yes, I enjoy the characters and their hurdles and triumphs, but I think I enjoyed learning most about the various traditions and the culture of China in the mid-1800s. As you might expect foot binding in definitely present here, and I couldn't help but be fascinated at the process and all the details provided of just how it actually happened.

Another tradition the is almost central to the novel is nu shu, the language that Lily and Snow Flower use to write to one another. It is believed to be the only written language developed for women only as a way to write secretly amongst themselves without their husbands' knowledge.

I'm definitely glad I was able to pick this book up, and after reading (and enjoying) two of Lisa See's books I've definitely planning on reading the rest. And not only that, Im hoping to be able to see the movie version of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan when its released later this summer.

Disclosure: I was provided this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. ...more

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Aug 31, 2007 Kristen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, 2009, own

I liked this very much. The story moved very quickly and never seemed weighed down by overly descriptive passages or long, tedious monologues. The language is very vivid, which is both a blessing and a curse. (The footbinding scenes made me squirm). Some may scoff at the theme of trying to find love and have a sense of self while filling our role in society, but the book is truly fantastic. While twenty-first century America appears to have little in common with nineteenth-century China, I had n ...more

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Sep 09, 2009 Jennifer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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Aug 26, 2007 Ada rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub

An absorbing, rather troubling, informative and unforgettable read. See’s research is greatly appreciated as she brings to full understating the stomach-turning foot binding ritual and impresses us with the knowledge of a secret language created for women by women.

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