Book Review: Snow Flower And The Secret Fan by Lisa See

 “For my entire life I longed for love. I knew it was not right for me — as a girl and later as a woman — to want or expect it, but I did, and this unjustified desire has been at the root of every problem I have experienced in my life.”

― Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Lisa See wrote a book in 2005 called Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which is set in nineteenth-century China. According to Charlotte Furth, a China historian at the University of Southern California, Western readers tend to view Chinese women as mere victims and concentrate on issues like arranged marriages and footbinding. However, Lisa See's historical novels challenge these stereotypes and adhere to the best feminist scholarship on women in the Ming-Qing era.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men.

As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared 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 deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

My reaction to this novel...

It took me a long time to update and read because of my busy schedule, but after being busy, I chose to read this book. Honestly, I bought this book because I was attracted to the book cover. I didn't even notice the title and I am not aware or familiar with the author, but because the cover is beautiful, I didn't hesitate to buy and read it right away.

From the very beginning of the paragraph in the book, I was immediately hooked by the story. The delivery is so well done that it truly piques my interest about how it will unfold. This is my first time reading a book about Chinese women and Chinese culture, so I have no idea and I am excited to learn about them, especially that of Chinese women, as I know that men hold a superior position in this country.

I am impressed with the author because, as a reader like me who has no idea about this kind of storyline, the author was able to make me imagine each scene that she narrated. I truly feel like I am there in the setting of the story, witnessing everything that is happening. I also felt the pain of every young girl as they underwent footbinding and how they struggled to achieve a better life. I also felt the pain of every young girl while their mothers treated them coldly during the process of footbinding, and while they were being taught alot of thing on how to be socially accepted. I can't help but think and be grateful that I'm not in that situation, although my dad is of Chinese descent, we grew up in the Philippines and we never need to experience that kind of situation.

I really liked the story, although there were some scenes that bothered me because they touched on their culture regarding their gods and goddesses, as well as their superstitions, which goes against my beliefs. Although I didn't take those seriously, since the author tackled them in many scenes, I wouldn't recommend it to others because it could potentially cause doubts and lead them astray from the Word of God. However, in terms of the story itself, it is good and heartwarming when it comes to love and friendship.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨(3.5/5)