Yunxian is a girl in the late 1400s, and Lisa See tells her story of growing up in her family in China. Yunxian is a strong protagonist from the start, with a connection to her grandmother, a doctor, and her best friend, a midwife. These relationships inspire her as she gets married and has children, and throughout her life, sees the clash between the traditional ways and her spirit. With a focus on female relationships and the power they have, See writes of the often unheard stories of women in medicine, before they were allowed to be in this space.

While beautifully written, this book is very similar in tone and in theme to See’s other novels, fans of hers will enjoy this tale, but I’m left wondering what she could do if she stretched further out of her comfort zone. See is a wonderful storyteller, but it could be time for her to find some new stories to tell.

I always enjoy Lisa See’s books and I was anticipating a great read with this one and I was definitely not disappointed. The research that went into this book was extensive, making it a compelling read about women, foot binding, pregnancy, midwifery and female doctors. Add in concubines and the hierarchy that goes along with the world of privilege in ancient China.
The story opens with eight year old Tan Yunxian, the daughter and granddaughter of a wealthy and educated family whose background is medicine. Because of a tragedy, she is sent to live with her paternal grandparents and her grandmother soon begins to teach the young girl the basics of medicine. The book explores friendships that develop within the walls of her grandparents home, Meiling being one of them. She is the daughter of the midwife and not of the same class as Yunxian but the girls/women do their best to get as much time together and forge a long lasting friendship. These women struggle to make their way in “a man’s world” as their lives are centered around the all-encompassing male dominance during this time. Yunxian didnt always fit into the role of obeisance but that made her story a unique one, as well as her love of medicine and healing the sick.
I’m always a bit sad when a great story ends and I really was with this one. The history and detail in this book make it an incredibly interesting read. If you love history, strong female characters, a bit of romance and intrigue, I highly recommend this book. Lisa See outdid herself this time! Well done.

This book was an absolute treat! It takes place in 1469 and follows the life of Yunxian Tan as she grows from learning traditional medicine that has been passed down for generations in her grandmother's family, to a woman doctor in her own right.

I loved the feeling that I was learning alongside Yunxian. I know nothing about traditional Chinese medicine and all the principles it's based on, so learning about all the ingredients, how Yunxian and Grandmother Ru diagnose and treat a patient. It was all so fascinating. Each case was like a tiny mystery to be solved. Because of focus on medicine and mystery, this book reminds me a lot of one of my favourite light-novel-turned-manga-soon-to-be-turned-into-anime series The Apothecary Diaries.

The descriptions in his book were sumptuous. I littered the book with notes saying "yum" every time I came across something like "I hate the cold, but I can appreciate the brutal purity of it. Snowflakes dance in the air, carried by the wind. Icicles hang like ivory chopsticks from the caves". There were also a lot of fresh metaphors! And so many great details on clothing, food, makeup, hair; everything was depicted so beautifully.

I loved the characters in this book. Yunxian was easy to root for, wonderfully human with her own flaws and jealousies. I loved seeing her relationship with the women in her life strengthen as they went through ups and downs. Her friendship with Meiling was so sweet and I felt so afraid for both of them the entire time! Don't even get me into the love Yunxian's father, grandmother and grandfather had for her. It was extremely sweet!

Lisa See made sure each character, even ones with goals opposed to what Yunxian wanted, were presented in a complex way and not wholly good or evil. I liked that a lot.

The plot was fascinating, especially because there was a mystery thrown in that took decades to unfold! It was good!! Even though I had an idea of who the culprit was (due to the excellent foreshadowing), it was still executed in an extremely satisfying way.

All in all, it was a fascinating book that really exceeded my expectations. I liked this book much better than the previous Lisa See book I read, Snowflower and the Secret Fan.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was one of my most anticipated new releases for 2023, and it did not disappoint!

Set in 15th century China the story centers on Tan Yunxian, born into a wealthy, educated family. After experiencing a tragic loss at the tender age of eight, she is sent to live with her paternal grandparents. It is here that she is taught how to practice medicine by her grandmother, and given purpose during a time when women were expected only to maintain a household, look beautiful and birth sons-- a future that Tan Yunxian, herself, eventually faces when she is sent into an arranged marriage.

At the very core of this story is the beautiful friendship forged by women, and the sacrifices they make. While this story was set several centuries ago, there are parallels to be made to the struggles that women still face today in a patriarchal system.

The breadth of detail and research that Lisa See has put into this novel made me feel entirely immersed in this period of time. Being as I work in the medical field, I was also completely and utterly fascinated with the historical accounts of medicinal practices during this period of time, and equally disturbed by some, such as foot binding.

To recap: strong female characters challenging expected gender roles, while rich in historical detail-- what more could you ask for in a story? This novel was exceptional and perhaps Lisa See's best to date. It is going to stick with me for a while!

Pub date: 6 June 2023

A big thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing, well researched, captivating book from Lisa See. It was fascinating learning about Chinese medicine from the time, and following the life of our main character Yunxian. Will be recommending this book a lot!

One of the most powerful books of women’s strengths in the 1400s during the in China. The book is beautifully written and researched well. It has been a while since I read a a book that shocked, infuriated me due to women’s treatment, taught me also about medical history and the way women rose above such suffering. The author is an amazing writer and I will most definitely be reading more of her books. I couldn’t stop talking to friends and family about it. One of the books I must have on my library shelf.

Lisa See is a prolific historical fiction writer. The research and detail that goes into her novels is mind-blowing. She also knows how to draw the reader in and keep them spellbound throughout. Her book covers are also so beautiful that a hard copy is a necessity. I highly recommend this one! Book clubs and historical fiction lovers will enjoy this! A huge thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC.

Summary:
Based on the true life story of Tan Yunxian, one of the first female doctors in 15th century China during the Ming dynasty.
It is through the guidance of her beloved grandmother, one of few female doctors that she begins her studies.
At a young age Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses many relating to childbearing and is taught the methodology of the “Four Examinations”.
Although Yunxian faces adversity from death, loneliness, tradition, oppression, it is her love of medicine, family and best friend, Meiling that encourages her to become the most remarkable women of her time.

Things I Liked:
- Written with such tangible emotion and atmosphere. The world building is constructed beautifully.
-All of the characters are very distinct. Yunxian is my favourite for many reasons.
-It was a fascinating insight into 15th century Chinese culture. This book was expertly researched.

What Could Have Been Improved:
- I kept hoping and waiting for Yunxian to rise up and speak her truth earlier in the book.

Final Thoughts:
“No mud, No lotus”
This is a book about sacrifice and the circular power women share between one another and as a whole. The traditions and oppression in the lives of these women was disturbing to me
so it was hard to stay objective in my review.
This is an utterly captivating read that is perfect for anyone who also enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha.
Highly recommend this gem.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to review this book.

I always find Lisa See's books enjoyable, and Lady Tan's Circle of Women was no exception. It was a fascinating window into the lives of Chinese women in the 1400s. I admire the amount of research that went into it and the way See translated that into an engaging story with characters I was rooting for. I'll be recommending this book to See fans, lovers of historical fiction, and those who enjoy reading the stories of remarkable women.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read it in advance of publication.

This novel is amazing!

I was taken on a journey to China. Ancient China. During The Ming Dynasty(1500's). Zhengde was Emperor

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is an enthralling story of women supporting women and was inspired by the true story of a woman physician, yet a woman's main purpose was to give her husband sons.

I learned about the tortuous custom of feet binding and the importance of filial duty.

I loved this story and because of Lisa See's research I completely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher.

All thought's and comments are my personal opinion and aren't influenced by anyone.