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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

By Lisa See
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4.09 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 384,193 ratings, 20,735 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, penned by Lisa See, delves into the complex friendship between two women, Lily and Snow Flower, in 19th-century China. Set against a backdrop of rigid social customs, their bond is explored through a secret language written between the folds of a fan. The narrative intricately examines themes of loyalty, tradition, and the struggles faced within a patriarchal society.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You may enjoy this book if you're intrigued by the intricate world of 19th-century China, focusing on the themes of friendship, women's roles, and cultural traditions. It's a beautifully crafted story that explores the power of female relationships and the impact of societal change. If you appreciate historical fiction rich in cultural detail, this story will likely resonate with you.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

In the vein of Memoirs of a Geisha and Empress Orchid, a mesmerizing novel about two young girls growing up in feudal China

For fans of Memoirs of a Geisha, Wild Swans and Empress Orchid Major-lead title - sales of over 40,000 copies in the trade original editionHuge potential for book club selections and major trade promotions

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Lily is the daughter of a humble farmer, and to her family she is just another expensive mouth to feed. Then the local matchmaker delivers startling news: if Lily's feet are bound properly, they will be flawless. In nineteenth-century China, where a woman's eligibility is judged by the shape and size of her feet, this is extraordinary good luck.

Lily now has the power to make a good marriage and change the fortunes of her family. To prepare for her new life, she must undergo the agonies of footbinding, learn nu shu, the famed secret women's writing, and make a very special friend, Snow Flower. But a bitter reversal of fortune is about to change everything.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is highly acclaimed for its beautiful and imaginative portrayal of a vanished world, receiving praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. The book is celebrated for bringing to life a character and culture with remarkable authenticity, offering an engrossing depiction of nineteenth-century China through the lens of a profound female friendship. Critics commend it for its meticulously researched narrative, highlighting themes of envy, betrayal, love, and loyalty.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780747583004

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 January 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Edition: New edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 352

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Lisa See Literary Fiction

About the Author

Lisa See is the author of Flower Net, The Interior and Dragon Bones, as well as the critically acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain. The Organization of Chinese American Women named her the 2001 National Woman of the Year. She lives in Los Angeles.

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