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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan | 
| Author: Lisa See
Publisher: Random House Large Print
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  598 reviews
Sales Rank: 2435070
Media: Hardcover
ISBN: 0375435247
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780375435249
ASIN: 0375435247
Publication Date: June 28, 2005
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Product Description
Lily is haunted by memories–of who she once was, and of a person, long gone, who defined her existence. She has nothing but time now, as she recounts the tale of Snow Flower, and asks the gods for forgiveness.
In nineteenth-century China, when wives and daughters were foot-bound and lived in almost total seclusion, the women in one remote Hunan county developed their own secret code for communication: nu shu (“women’s writing”). Some girls were paired with laotongs, “old sames,” in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives. They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.
With the arrival of a silk fan on which Snow Flower has composed for Lily a poem of introduction in nu shu, their friendship is sealed and they become “old sames” at the tender age of seven. As the years pass, through famine and rebellion, they reflect upon their arranged marriages, loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their lifelong friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a brilliantly realistic journey back to an era of Chinese history that is as deeply moving as it is sorrowful. With the period detail and deep resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha, this lyrical and emotionally charged novel delves into one of the most mysterious of human relationships: female friendship.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 593 more reviews...
 One of the best September 30, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Rich in detail and exquisitely crafted, this is an excellent book which I highly recommend, though some parts are rather graphic (footbinding) and are not for the weak of heart.
 Memorable! September 26, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved this book, it is set in China of a hundred years ago or so and gives a vivid and compelling portrayal of a woman of a certain class growing uo in China during that time. I wont re hash the plot in this review others have done that very well. The poignancy of this story stayed with me for a long time .
The description of the foot binding process was so detailed and graphic that my feet actually ached for days, that chapter is not for the squeamish.
Capitavating historical fiction September 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is the story of two young women, Lily and Snow Flower, set in 19th century China. The two are bound together as "Lo Tung" (old sames) as young girls. This connection is their greatest triumph and later their cause for greatest shame.
Lisa See weaves a tale that engages the reader and brings a better understanding of what life was like for women in the 1800s in China, when a good life was considered spending of your days in a single room and nights producing many male offspring.
The descriptions of foot binding were compelling and disturbing. In the audio commentary she discusses meeting women who went through this procedure and how they viewed it. Also she enlightens the reader with discussion of the writing style of "nu shu". Nu Shu was used exclusively by women as a form of ornamentation, song, and written communication.
Overall this was a very moving and enjoyable piece of fiction. I look forward to reading/listening to more from Lisa See. My major disappointment was that the audio book was abridged. The book was concise enough that abridgment seems unnecessary and takes away from the flow of the book.
Excellent and Interesting September 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I just finished this book and it filled a curiosity I always had about foot binding. I studied this ancient chinese practice many years ago in college but this book filled in alot of missing questions I had. I found myself wanting to return to my book every chance I could find. Good Read!
A Cultural Gem! September 16, 2008
This book was gripping. I knew next to nothing about this period in Chinese culture, and the whole idea of foot binding made my stomach churn. Ms. See did meticulous research, and her characters were well developed. A great read!
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