Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Janet Song

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”). 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. 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)2012 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Great story, not so great narration

Loved the story and the fact that it was beautifully written and seemed mostly historically and culturally accurate, at least to a contemporary overseas Chinese reader. The specific traditon of LaoTong matches was interesting to learn about and I even had to look it up after.

Unfortunately, I found the narrator's style a little strange and stilted. It sounded like a fake voice at first and so monotonous. I considered returning this book. Luckily, either I got used to it or it got better after several chapters.

Delightfully poignant

Loved listening to this story of a world other than what we know today and a culture so far removed from modern day worlds. A story filled with different twists and the honesty and resilience of women in a very male dominated old China