Scan barcode
A review by blueup
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This is a book about women's (mostly upper class women but also with a glimpse into working women) role, and lives, in China during the Ming Dynasty, 15th century.
I expected a book about female friendships way more lighthearted than what this was! It wasn't lighthearted at all, but I enjoyed it very very much nonetheless. Just a warning in that direction! This is not for the faint of heart as it discusses pregnancy issues extensively, birth stories, and all kinds of medical struggles that women can face throughout their life.
There is a lot dedicated to the terrible practice of foot binding. A lot of descriptions felt quite gory to me, making wince in horror at what these women endured.
It definitely is an arduous life these women lead, even as upper class women, the restraints that gender roles force upon them invite so much sympathy and emotion.
You do eventually see this circle of women around Tan Yunxian, though she seems very alone in her honorable pursuits for most of her life. The older women guide and support her, and she navigates the communication obstacles she encounters with her best friend MeiLin with an ever present desire to maintain the friendship forever.
Our protagonist is admirable, but I also really enjoyed that she is brought to see the privileges that her class allow her, and the prejudices and rules she has absorbed from her surroundings and not questioned before. She doesn't dramatically change, but she evolves realistically, she changes her mind and listens when it's pointed out to her that she doesn't have the full picture. I really liked having MeiLin's pov in this giving us the other side to women's lives at that time, that which is less often portrayed in dramas, the poor, working, not so glamorous women who are essential to our societies.
Writing-wise, i felt completely immersed in the world of the characters, the descriptions and comparisons felt enshrined in Chinese culture, so it was just like watching a cdrama!
I really loved the tone of the book too, how, despite the horrors constantly happening, the tone was gentle and comforting, and also did not glamorize the obstacles the women go through, but took them on as part of their life, with the gravity and respect they deserve.
It was such a captivating read, and made me want to read more of the same author! I can only recommend this book if you're interested in reading about women or Chinese culture!
I expected a book about female friendships way more lighthearted than what this was! It wasn't lighthearted at all, but I enjoyed it very very much nonetheless. Just a warning in that direction! This is not for the faint of heart as it discusses pregnancy issues extensively, birth stories, and all kinds of medical struggles that women can face throughout their life.
There is a lot dedicated to the terrible practice of foot binding. A lot of descriptions felt quite gory to me, making wince in horror at what these women endured.
It definitely is an arduous life these women lead, even as upper class women, the restraints that gender roles force upon them invite so much sympathy and emotion.
You do eventually see this circle of women around Tan Yunxian, though she seems very alone in her honorable pursuits for most of her life. The older women guide and support her, and she navigates the communication obstacles she encounters with her best friend MeiLin with an ever present desire to maintain the friendship forever.
Our protagonist is admirable, but I also really enjoyed that she is brought to see the privileges that her class allow her, and the prejudices and rules she has absorbed from her surroundings and not questioned before. She doesn't dramatically change, but she evolves realistically, she changes her mind and listens when it's pointed out to her that she doesn't have the full picture. I really liked having MeiLin's pov in this giving us the other side to women's lives at that time, that which is less often portrayed in dramas, the poor, working, not so glamorous women who are essential to our societies.
Writing-wise, i felt completely immersed in the world of the characters, the descriptions and comparisons felt enshrined in Chinese culture, so it was just like watching a cdrama!
I really loved the tone of the book too, how, despite the horrors constantly happening, the tone was gentle and comforting, and also did not glamorize the obstacles the women go through, but took them on as part of their life, with the gravity and respect they deserve.
It was such a captivating read, and made me want to read more of the same author! I can only recommend this book if you're interested in reading about women or Chinese culture!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic