Book Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I picked this book up and couldn't put it down until I finished it.

The book takes place in China in the 1800's, and follows the lives of two friends, Lily and Snow Flower. Lily is the main character, and the book starts with her looking back on her life as she turns 80 years old. It's a fascinating account of what life was like for girls and women, from how they were treated in the family, to the secret language they wrote with to one another. The chapter of Lily, her sister and her cousin getting their feet bound (at age 7) is heartbreaking.

I'm interested in reading other books by this author now. Her style of writing and her historical account of life in China reminds me of the many books by one of my favorite authors, Gail Tsukiyama.