solivagant88's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bcgg's review against another edition
4.0
Insight into the early lives of women in 19th century China. Details on the ways girls were prepared for marriage, the rituals of foot binding, forming bonds, learning respect and duty to her family.
aliencatl0rd's review against another edition
Just not really my piece of pie. Well written and interesting enough, however.
meredithgk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
honeymoonleo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Infertility, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Death, Pregnancy, and Misogyny
hgranger's review against another edition
2.0
An entire book that functions as an example of how boring even a good story becomes when you tell it instead of showing it. This book is presented in the most boring manner possible.
Although to be honest, I don't know that I would have found this to be that good of a story even if See had used show not tell. The protagonist is not a good person in any way. It's hard to read an entire book about (and told by) someone you'd like to slap. She's mean, petty, cruel, and stupid. Everything is sad, gloomy, and awful. No one loves anyone or anything, men are cruel and ruthless, mothers are horrible - or if they're not, then their children die. Not a single person made it out of that book unscathed by tragedy. It was beyond depressing. Granted, I've never lived in 19th century China, but surely EVERYONE couldn't have been either dead or miserable - right?!?
Although to be honest, I don't know that I would have found this to be that good of a story even if See had used show not tell. The protagonist is not a good person in any way. It's hard to read an entire book about (and told by) someone you'd like to slap. She's mean, petty, cruel, and stupid. Everything is sad, gloomy, and awful. No one loves anyone or anything, men are cruel and ruthless, mothers are horrible - or if they're not, then their children die. Not a single person made it out of that book unscathed by tragedy. It was beyond depressing. Granted, I've never lived in 19th century China, but surely EVERYONE couldn't have been either dead or miserable - right?!?
lawyeranthropologist's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent read and well researched. Loved it!
zo909's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0