This was an extraordinary book in many ways. This novel reads like a memoir and is told by 80-year-old Lily who reminisces about her life, from early childhood, encompassing a deeply-rooted friendship, through marriage, to old-age.

It goes back to the early 1800s in China and reveals an exotic world where women were subjected to stringent rules and ancient customs. One of these rituals was footbinding, an agonizingly painful practice (that finally ended in the 1950s). This rite is described in excruciating detail as the protagonists, Lily and Snow Flower, experience the process to ensure that they have "white lillies" i.e. perfect, tiny feet to secure better marital prospects.

The friendship that develops between Lily and Snow Flower during their footbinding ritual at the age of seven is fostered by the secret language nu shu, which they use throughout their lives to communicate with one another via their secret fan. This language was used by women in the higher strata of Chinese society, and employed exquisite artistry, paintings and flowery language to convey heartfelt emotions.

The story was beautiful and, at times, melancholic. All-in-all, ir provided an intriguing cultural experience! ( )

excellent

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. 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. Much later, when a misunderstanding arises, their lifelong friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart. ( )

Sometimes the characters aren't the most loveable, but this is still an amazing story. I've read descriptions of foot-binding before, but this book definitely has the most graphic description of them all. That alone makes this a book for those with a strong stomach. ( )

It was a good book. Takes place in the 1800s in China. It's about a relationship between 2 women. Women in China would have special friendships/bonds with another woman, called a laotong "old same"..kind of like a sworn sisterhood between 2 women for life. This is about two women & their laotong..and all that women had to endure, including footbinding..ouch! ( )