Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

A Novel

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Janet Song

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.

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 19th-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.

©2005 Lisa See (P)2005 Books on Tape Inc.

Critic reviews

New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age, 2006

“Lisa See has written her best book yet. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is achingly beautiful, a marvel of imagination of a real and secret world that has only recently disappeared. It is a story so mesmerizing the pages float away and the story remains clearly before us from beginning to end.” –Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club and The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings

“I was mesmerized by this wondrous book–the story of a secret civilization of women, who actually lived in China not long ago. . . . Magical, haunting fiction. Beautiful.” –Maxine Hong Kingston, author of The Fifth Book of Peace

“Only the best novelists can do what Lisa See has done, to bring to life not only a character but an entire culture, and a sensibility so strikingly different from our own. This is an engrossing and completely convincing portrayal of a woman shaped by suffering forced upon her from her earliest years, and of the friendship that helps her to survive.” –Arthur Golden, author of Memoirs of a Geisha

Wonderful!!

This was a beautiful story about a friendship of two young girls from different backgrounds and all the things they went through growing up. I enjoyed this book so much it was well written. This is the third book I have read from this author and I must say she has become one of my favorites!! A great book!!!!

It`s okaaaay

It really is just a story about friendship. I really enjoyed the glimpse into historical Chinese culture, and the graphic description of foot binding was chilling. But I wanted more to happen with the plot between the two women. It definitely wasn`t near as good as Memoirs of a Geisha.

Good, but somewhat dissapointing

Lisa See's memoir was interesting but with too many verbose, repetitious, boring stretches. Books about Chinese culture have always interested me but I had never heard of the lautong (sp) relationship between girls. It bothered me because it seemed to encourage lesbianism. I also didn't care for the narrator. The way she clipped words was unnatural and she made everything sound too melodramatic. If you want a good book about Chinese life, I would recommend one written by Pearl Buck.

Spotty recording

It jumps at the end of two different chapters so far in the recording. I’ve tried rewinding multiple times. Very frustrating to be missing chunks of the story.

Excellent in all aspects

I enjoyed listening to this book and have recommended it to many people. It was a good book to begin with and the narrorator made it even better. Not only is the story intriguing but the historical context is interesting and lends itself well to the plot. 5 stars!

Great foot-binding documentary; so-so story

This book conveys a most convincing portrait of the cultural roles of Chinese women of the era. The description of the foot-binding process itself is excruciatingly detailed and the social and cultural ramifications of bound feet illuminating. The emphasis on bearing sons, the various hierarchies of obedience and duty, and the overarching "otherness" of the culture are very well represented. I was particularly struck by the some of the expectations of the after-life of which I was unaware.

Fortunately, all of the above was more than enough to maintain my interest throughout the book. To me, the story itself was disappointing. Possibly this was due to my own inability to sifficently leave behind my own notions of common sense and human decency and let myself float into a world view that so thoroughly debased women, independent thought, and, all too often, any notion of kindness.

The narration was probably very much in keeping with the tone of the book but I couldn't help being reminded of the lyrics of the song "Don't cry for me, Argentina." This narration could be heard as the antithesis of that sentiment. The narrator's tone of voice is one of almost totally unrelieved misery.

a love story

I enjoyed this book very much. It is a story of a very special relationship that begins between two young chinese girls when they are seven years old. This relationship continues throughout their lives and is documented by words written on a fan. The story is a good one and is set in the historical context of 19th century china, a time when a young girl's feet are bound at age six, and she must forever walk on feet no larger than a thumb. Crippled, she rarely leaves her home, spending most of her life in an upstairs room shared with other women in her family. She grows up understanding that her only value is in her ability to bear sons for her husband's family. The story follows the lives of both women whose lives take different paths. A good listen, beautifully narrated.

friendship

a story of the enduring love between 2 women and how powerful and essential that relationship is for all women

great story teller

I really liked the book, have become a big fan of Lisa See. her books are captivating, and she really paints the picture for you, and I have learned alot about Chinese culture . this is the 3rd book I've read by her...would recommend them all.

Beautifully Written and Narrated

Was immediately gripped by this book and could not stop listening. The characters really came to life . The most memorable part for me was when beautiful moon died from the bee sting. The entire book had me hanging on every detail and event. really enjoyed listening instead of reading.