A review by sofiaboebia
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

challenging emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I read this book quickly but was deeply impacted by its message and also the culture it was set in. The reflection on womanhood throughout the book was an interesting insight to the time, as well as a frame to think about how the world is now. The idea of womanhood in the face of manhood or the patriarchy was excellently done and captured the multitude of emotions that these women felt. I also enjoyed the Chinese medicine aspects of it and found that in itself fascinating. This book also really hit home with its messages of female friendship and the raw and emotional lines about the difficulties and beauties of it. Referencing to growing old together and female friendship being close to the heart and the laughter and tears that come with it. I cried quite a bit towards the end, mostly in the reflection of what her life meant, the injustices that Meiling endured and the large amount of deaths and tragedy. Regardless it was a gratifying read and I had a good time.