Lynn N. (thebookcrosser) reviewed on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Peony In Love is one of the most compelling, intriguing, and hard-to-shake books I have ever read, and I have quite a collection of books set-in and about life in China. This is the third of Lisa See's books that I have read this year. I am hooked.
Peony is a sixteen-year old, upper-class, Chinese girl: cloistered, protected, naive, and prepared to 'marry-out'. She is more educated than is the norm and has been exposed to a play, which will later be banned in China, "The Peony Pavilion". She becomes obsessed with the theme of the play--ideal of romantic love--and the path of her life is forever changed.
The novel pulls us into the heart of Chinese culture shortly after the Ming dynasty ended: the world of foot-binding, arranged marriages, the quiet rebellion of women who write and fight to hide their intellects, and the spiritual/religious beliefs of the Chinese people. It is impossible to put down. It is even more fascinating when you read the author's notes which reveal that the story is based on real events. Telling more would spoil the book for someone else.
I loved this book so much, I won't be passing it along. It has become part of my permanent collection of Chinese-themed books.
Peony is a sixteen-year old, upper-class, Chinese girl: cloistered, protected, naive, and prepared to 'marry-out'. She is more educated than is the norm and has been exposed to a play, which will later be banned in China, "The Peony Pavilion". She becomes obsessed with the theme of the play--ideal of romantic love--and the path of her life is forever changed.
The novel pulls us into the heart of Chinese culture shortly after the Ming dynasty ended: the world of foot-binding, arranged marriages, the quiet rebellion of women who write and fight to hide their intellects, and the spiritual/religious beliefs of the Chinese people. It is impossible to put down. It is even more fascinating when you read the author's notes which reveal that the story is based on real events. Telling more would spoil the book for someone else.
I loved this book so much, I won't be passing it along. It has become part of my permanent collection of Chinese-themed books.
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