[WPF] Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – Lisa See - 4 stars

[Linda C]

Snow Flower & Lily are brought together as a contractual laotong, “old same” match at age 7. They will remain close for their lifetime. The process of foot-binding at the same age was graphically described, poor kids. By 10 they are in arranged marriage contracts. The story is told from Lily's point of view. Life is harsh but especially for girls. Traditions reinforce this & only when a girl is lucky enough to have a son & end up as the mother-in-law in a household does she have any power. The main dramatic elements revolve around Lily's rise in fortune and Snow Flower's decline and their attempts to remain supportive of each other when families and politics try to pull them apart. A good story.

Reread: Second time was as good as the first and the foot binding and bullying scenes affected me much as they did the first time, even knowing what happens. The use of the fan as a means of communication seemed as impossible as before. I don't know how they got that much written on it over all that time.

[Peacejanz]

Good review. Great book. Thanks for your comments and I think it is good that you acknowledge the painful foot binding. It was worse than the war years. Thanks for the review. peace, janz

[John]

It has been some time since I read this book but the one item I do remember is the foot binding. After reading this book, I did see photographs of the result of foot binding. The memory of these photos still send shivers up my spine.

[Peacejanz]

Dear John -- reality, like war dead or victims of random shooting. Horror is all around us. Thank goodness, the Chinese stopped this awful activity. If only they would be more liberal with Tibet. Life is life. We must learn from it. peace, janz