Overview
From āone of those special writers capable of delivering both poetry and plotā (The New York Times Book Review) an immersive historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century Chinaāperfect for fans of Lisa Seeās classics Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane.
According to Confucius, āan educated woman is a worthless woman,ā but Tan Yunxianāborn into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and lonelinessāis being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinationsālooking, listening, touching, and askingāsomething a man can never do with a female patient.
From a young age, Yunxian learns about womenās illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purposeādespite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with itāand they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each otherās joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.
But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wifeāembroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.
How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? A captivating story of women helping each other, Lady Tanās Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
This book title, Lady Tan's Circle of Women (A Novel), ISBN: 9781982117092, by Lisa See, published by Scribner (June 11, 2024) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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