Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in Around the World

Aug 09, 2015 MiA rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: asian-literature, historical-fiction

2.5 stars

***Spoiler Alert***

I've been determined to incorporate diverse cultures in my reading and 19th century China represented in this book seemed a good choice that aligned with my goal. This book is the first read for me from China and the overall experience was somewhat gratifying, but I couldn't help having some mixed feelings about it.

Lisa See definitely tells the story beautifully about a little girl named Lily who comes from a family that is considered of low class and the change of lu
2.5 stars

***Spoiler Alert***

I've been determined to incorporate diverse cultures in my reading and 19th century China represented in this book seemed a good choice that aligned with my goal. This book is the first read for me from China and the overall experience was somewhat gratifying, but I couldn't help having some mixed feelings about it.

Lisa See definitely tells the story beautifully about a little girl named Lily who comes from a family that is considered of low class and the change of luck that brought to her and her family when she is offered to have an "old same". That is to say a female eternal friend with the same birth attributes (year, month and the number of brothers and sisters among other things). The issue I had with the story wasn't with the writing but with its contents. The habits and traditions of 19th century China was a kind of shock to me. The foot binding process explained in full details made my stomach lurch. I remember reading this part while waiting with some people in a hall and I had to close the book and go breathe some fresh air and sip some cold water. I really felt nauseous. What's foot binding, you ask?! It's not letting your six years old daughter grow feet more than 7 centimeters. Yes, it's as matter-of-factly as that. Wrapping girls feet until the toes fall off. If the daughter survives this she is promised a good marriage to someone she had never seen before and if she doesn't, well .... she dies. Speak about the persecution of women!!!

Then the story goes on to the vows of friendship and the change of luck that follows the rise and fall of families to and from societal graces. From two little girls to two adult women, they venture into the secret writing of women known as Nu-Shu. They share their secrets, hopes and news with a language that is supposed to be cryptic and only known for women. But was it so? I wasn't convinced. It sounded more like men didn't think women are intellectually capable of learning the original language, or thought of it demeaning to their language to be used for womanly purposes like sharing feelings and news with friends that they invented the Nu-Shu as a substitute.

Then the story started to expose the injustice friends inflict upon each other by showing the wrong kind of support. It's usually the kind of support we think a friend needs, but its actually the kind of support we feel good by giving. Both are totally two different things. But the part that really got to me was that a conflict between two women can become a national song where someone can be unfairly slandered and the song becomes a folktale. How mean is that?

But as some of the women are unfortunate by their circumstances, some of them learn to use it wisely to their advantage. This quote sums up how patient, wily and somewhat calculating women can get to outmaneuver their circumstances no matter how unjust or dire they are.

“Obey, obey, obey, then do what you want.”

...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Jo Ann rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, asian, library, historical-fiction, snakes-ladders-2012

A very sad and beautiful story about friendship between two women set in 19th century China. I absolutely loved the writing style and had no problem getting into the story it was very interesting to learn about 'nu shu' the secret writing of women. Some of the traditions and customs of the time you can't help but find appalling and horrific such as the practice of 'foot binding' and being forced into arranged marriages. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical fiction. ...more

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