Lady Tan's Circle of Women

From a young age, Tan Yunxian knew she was expected to be a traditional woman in Confucian society, obedient to her father, husband, and son. However, her life took a different turn when she moved in with her grandparents. Her grandmother introduced her to traditional medicine, especially for women's health. Yunxian also made a friend, Meiling, who was training to be a midwife. Meiling opened Yunxian's eyes to a world beyond her privilege.

Even though Yunxian wanted to learn medicine, societal norms restricted her. After marriage, her mother-in-law controlled her, preventing her from helping other women in the family and seeing Meiling.

Lisa See's captivating historical novel, inspired by the real-life Tan Yunxian, vividly portrays 15th-century China with rich details, characters, and descriptive language. The book highlights the gender disparity and how women, regardless of their social class, were often treated as possessions of the men around them. However, See also underscores the resilience and strength of women.

Yunxian is an instantly likable character, committed to overcoming challenges and caring for the women who depend on her. She observes and describes her world with a balanced and objective tone, akin to a physician's approach. Yunxian's wisdom, influenced by her grandmother's guidance, helps her find a delicate balance between conforming to societal roles and pursuing her own aspirations.

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