Covered Girl

This absorbing novel – with a storyline unlike anything Lisa See has written before – takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion with only a single window from which to see. Illiterate and isolated, they were not expected to think, be creative, or have emotions. But in one remote county, women developed their own secret code, nu shu – "women's writing" – the only gender-based written language to have

been found in the world. Some girls were paired as "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 windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.

An old woman tells of her relationship with her "old-same,"

their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood—until a terrible misunderstanding written on their secret fan threatens to tear them apart. With the detail and emotional resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha ,Snow Flower and the Secret Fan delves into one of the most mysterious and treasured relationships of all time—female friendship.

credit: http://www.lisasee.com/snowflower.htm

It is so mind baffling and I complete

ly fell in love with the story. The way See writes I have never seen before. She brings out the Chinese culture and history in such a s

ophisticated mater into Lilly's life (Protagonist). This novel leaves you in tears from beginning to end in such a beautiful way. See's style of writing keeps you wanting for more and it never loses your attention. The literature of this novel is phenomenal and how it portrays the Chinese life of Lilly and her friend Snow Flower.

It goes through Lilly's life as a 'Mi

lk child' in her 'Daughter Days' and how she is forced to bind her feet in one of the most excoriating description ever. Lilly's feet go to the smallest size of 3 inches.