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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

A Novel

By Lisa See

(34)

| Hardcover | 9781400060283

Book Description

Lily is haunted by memories–of who she once was, and of a person, long gone, who defined her existence. She has nothing but time now, as she recounts the tale of Snow Flower, and asks the gods for forgiveness.

In nineteenth-century China, when wives and daughters were foot-bound and livContinue

Lily is haunted by memories–of who she once was, and of a person, long gone, who defined her existence. She has nothing but time now, as she recounts the tale of Snow Flower, and asks the gods for forgiveness.

In nineteenth-century China, when wives and daughters were foot-bound and lived in almost total seclusion, the women in one remote Hunan county developed their own secret code for communication: nu shu (“women’s writing”). Some girls were paired with laotongs, “old sames,” in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.

With the arrival of a silk fan on which Snow Flower has composed for Lily a poem of introduction in nu shu, their friendship is sealed and they become “old sames” at the tender age of seven. As the years pass, through famine and rebellion, they reflect upon their arranged marriages, loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their lifelong friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a brilliantly realistic journey back to an era of Chinese history that is as deeply moving as it is sorrowful. With the period detail and deep resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha, this lyrical and emotionally charged novel delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships: female friendship.

6 Reviews

  • 1 person find this helpful

    Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

    A heart-wrenching story of friendship between two ladies in 19th century China. The author did a wonderful job of bringing not only her characters to life but also painting a picture of the life of a woman in traditional Chinese society.

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    ― Readingrat said on Feb 24, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • 1 person find this helpful

    This was a moving book about friendship and how different perceptions can affect it. I also learned a lot about women's lives and customs in 19th century rural China.

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    ― krin5292 said on Jan 24, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Fast read, heart breaking

    I read this in two weeks, and I have a 3 yr old! If you loved memoirs of a geisha this will be right up your alley.

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    ― Lmarker said on Apr 9, 2009 | Add your feedback

  • Beautiful book on friendship

    A lesson to learn about how we treat those we cherish. The hardships of women & how we put up a good front out of necessity. One womens regret not to communicate clearly with her laotong.

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    ― Sapphire Apple said on Oct 31, 2008 | Add your feedback

  • foot binding . . . old sames . . . Excellent! . . . a female version of The Kite Runner because of the betrayal by one childhood friend of another, and just as heart-rending.

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    ― Missmath144 said on Sep 1, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Interesting story about life in China, plus about how to be a good friend. Very detailed about foot binding and it was all much more gruesome than I could have imagined.

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    ― Deanna Kyre said on Apr 14, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Book Details

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Prices Change currency & sellers

ISBN Edition List Sale Seller
9781400060283 Hardcover $23.95 $16.29 Amazon US
£16.11 -- Amazon UK
$29.95 $18.87 Amazon CA
¥2557.00 ¥2174.00 Amazon JP
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