Snow Flower & the Secret Fan
by Lisa See

I bought this book while I was in Borders at Boston, cos they had a 3 for 2 offer, and I already had 2 stuff, which meant, if I don't get a third item, very bo-hua (loo-gee) you know. And the very thing that attracted me to this book was that it talks largely about nu shu - a type of writing in China known and used only by the women-folk and also talks about the various chinese cultures, like bound feet.

But one thing I wondered was, how much would an American-born chinese author know about the Chinese history? I must say Lisa See has been really extensive in her research and has skilfully put together a masterpiece.

Just some information on the book. The story takes you through China, at a time before the Taiping rebellion (1851-1864) and happens in a small village where a girl called Lily (the protagonist) was to tell her story. Bearing in mind that at this time, women-folk lived in seclusion from the man and the world outside, an age where girls had their feet bound. The story goes on to tell how Lily is matched with a lao tong (old same) called Snow Flower, who will later change her life in more ways than one.

It is as some writers who read the book said, ".. a triumph at every level."

Labels: Lisa See, Snow Flower And The Secret Fan