Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I’ve always turned to historical fiction to deepen my understanding of an era and help spark my imagination for class prep.

This book, set in late nineteenth-century China, helped me better contextualize the challenges confronting Chinese women at that time—and how they overcame, or at least endured them. I recently had the privilege of hearing Lisa See speak on her research and writing—she was quite engaging and shared much about her process.

She’s a passionate, dedicated, and disciplined scholar. This shines through in all her work, especially this bittersweet tale of friendship, love, and heartbreak.

Again, made into a beautiful film. This book shows what a sudden change in fortune can do to both the individual and a friendship, as a girl is told that if she has her feet bound, she might rise above her currently humble status. But although she is torn away from her friend, they find a way to communicate that is hidden in plain sight. 

The beauty of the novel is like a fan, folded, layered, and fragile in its quiet storytelling of the transience of life and poignancy of how women were quickly forgotten and tucked away. Set in a remote, secluded town in nineteenth-century China, where foot binding was a tradition few could escape, the novel tells the affection between two women and their secret love. Nu Shu, the women’s script highlighted in the story, was especially fascinating to me–I have come across it during my research and learned that it was once a popular communication method for educated women in ancient China.… show more.

In this poignant story of lifelong female friendship, Lily and Snow Flower must navigate the stifling social restrictions and upheavals of nineteenth-century China. They’re aided by what is arguably the star of the novel: Nüshu. This is a secret phonetic script, used exclusively by women, and limited to a small area of southwestern Hunan Province.  Messages written on paper or fans, or embroidered on cloth, could be passed back and forth, allowing for secret communication. And this is how Lily and Snow Flower maintain their friendship through the years.