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Oct 25, 2020
Queralt✨
rated it
liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
china,
fem-asian-authors
3.5 stars*
This was a difficult read.
I am always scared whenever I pick up a book with a 'big event' that breaks a friendship because I just assume it will have to do with romance (and I don't read romance nor care about it usually). I have read a couple books by Lisa See and I know she cares about historical accuracy and creating beautiful sisterhoods, but I was still worried about it. Luckily, I was wrong to be so - this book, as China Dolls and The Island of Sea Women, was about a sisterhood ...more
This was a difficult read.
I am always scared whenever I pick up a book with a 'big event' that breaks a friendship because I just assume it will have to do with romance (and I don't read romance nor care about it usually). I have read a couple books by Lisa See and I know she cares about historical accuracy and creating beautiful sisterhoods, but I was still worried about it. Luckily, I was wrong to be so - this book, as China Dolls and The Island of Sea Women, was about a sisterhood ...more
I would have never picked this up on my own, but thanks to my book group, I was introduced to this story of a friendship under incredibly difficult circumstances. I had to check myself from being mad when the talk of foot binding and the treatment of woman were so right in your face, but I do understand that what the time and place. And, as a description of a time and place, this was very good.
I thought this was a fascinating novel that artfully blended the tale of friendship between Lily and Snow Flower with Chinese customs and history. I loved how their story unfolded and developed over the course of their lifetime. Reading about the process of foot binding was painful, as was reading about the worthlessness of girls. However, the secret writings of Lily and Snow Flower and other Chinese women was inspiring. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read this!
Bookmarks Issue: 18-Sept-Oct-20 ...more
Bookmarks Issue: 18-Sept-Oct-20 ...more
great book
This novel is about friendship, regret, and fate. As I read this book, I was beyond intrigued about foot-binding and familial traditions in China. I had no idea what foot-binding entailed before reading this beautiful novel. Such a horrific act! I spent a few hours researching and learning more about foot-binding in China. I really connected to the characters in this story, even though the culture and circumstances that they experienced are far different from my own.
Read this for The Next Best Book Club.
As always with Lisa See, an excellent story - I did the audio version. A bit soapy, but it took me there.
As always with Lisa See, an excellent story - I did the audio version. A bit soapy, but it took me there.
A heartbreaking tale of regret, as told by an old woman whose inner weaknesses robbed her of the truest love of her life.
4 stars.
4 stars.
Took me a loooong time to get this read. I enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha. This had some similarities, but just didn’t keep me going.
Feb 01, 2010
Elizabeth (NC)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
winter-challenge,
four-and-five-star
