Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See – A Historical Fiction Masterpiece
Buy Lady Tan’s Circle of Women on Amazon
🚨 Trigger Warnings:
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Misogyny & gender inequality
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Foot binding
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Childbirth complications & infant mortality
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Smallpox & infectious disease
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Death & violence within families
🧾 Spoiler Warning ⚠️
This review contains full spoilers, including plot twists and the ending. Proceed only if you want the whole story!
🏮 First Impressions: Skeptical but Intrigued
I came into Lady Tan’s Circle of Women with high suspicion. My first Lisa See novel, and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a white-passing American author (her great-grandfather is Chinese), who doesn’t speak Chinese, writing an entire novel about Ming Dynasty China. Could she do justice to this history and culture? Well… she nailed it. 👏
Yes, some historical stats felt exaggerated (like the oft-quoted “1 in 10 women died from foot binding” – nope). But See’s writing, world-building, and historical insight are superb. The Ming Dynasty’s family dynamics, misogyny, and obsession with sons are vividly brought to life.
💡 Fun fact: Foot binding was mostly practiced in royal families, not the general population. My own grandmother had bound feet – I still shudder thinking about it.
📜 Overview: Lady Tan Yunxian – The Woman Behind the Legend
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women (2023) follows Tan Yunxian, a pioneering female physician in Ming Dynasty China. Guided by her grandparents’ medical expertise, she defies tradition to care for women across all social classes. Her journey highlights friendship, mentorship, and the strength of a supportive circle of women in a world obsessed with male heirs.
🧬 Plot Summary – Full Spoilers
Early Life & Training
Yunxian loses her mother young and is raised by her grandparents, both medical practitioners. Grandfather Tan teaches medicine from books; Grandmother Ru passes down herbal remedies and practical skills. Yunxian befriends Meiling, a midwife’s daughter, who becomes her confidante and guide to the world outside her family’s home.
Yunxian begins learning medicine for women, including childbirth and pregnancy care. She sees firsthand the precarious lives of women who must please men and bear sons.
Marriage & Struggles
At 15, Yunxian marries Yang Maoren, a wealthy silk merchant’s son, and moves to the Garden of Fragrant Delights. Her mother-in-law, Lady Kuo, forbids her from practicing medicine. Yunxian’s duty is to bear sons. When she delivers a daughter while a concubine delivers a son, the importance of male heirs becomes painfully clear.
Yunxian’s circle of women – including Meiling, Poppy, Miss Zhao, and Grandmother Ru – provide guidance and support. She secretly treats patients, defying Lady Kuo and societal norms.
Trials, Tragedy & Triumph
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Yunxian observes women sold, concubines replaced, and family intrigue that reveals the harshness of patriarchal rules.
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She attends births, nurses women through illness, and learns that Doctor Wong was prescribing abortifacients to control heirs.
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A powerful scene in Beijing: Yunxian and Meiling care for the Empress and navigate court politics, risking punishment for touching blood, a forbidden act for doctors.
Later Life & Legacy
Over the years, Yunxian becomes a highly skilled physician, raising three daughters and later, two sons. She treats patients regardless of status. Smallpox strikes her household, testing her knowledge and compassion. She uncovers medical malpractice and murder plots, including Doctor Wong’s schemes, and fights for justice.
In the end:
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Yunxian’s grandmother dies, leaving her medical texts.
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She reconciles with Lady Kuo, even helping her with a giant tapeworm extraction 🪱.
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Meiling remains her steadfast friend.
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Yunxian publishes her medical compendium, ensuring women receive proper care for generations.
A story of resilience, intelligence, and the power of women supporting women. 💪💖
😍 Why I Loved It
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Incredible historical detail – Ming Dynasty China comes alive.
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Engaging storyline – I couldn’t put it down.
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Vivid female characters – Women who nurture, teach, and protect each other.
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Educational & entertaining – I learned while being fully immersed.
Lisa See proves that with research, empathy, and storytelling skill, you can write across cultures respectfully and compellingly.
📚 If You Loved This, Try These:
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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See – Another gorgeous tale of female friendship in China.
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The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See – Mother-daughter dynamics and cultural heritage.
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Peony in Love by Lisa See – Historical China, romance, and tragedy intertwined.
💌 Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, female empowerment, and intricate storytelling, this is a must-read. Lisa See’s penmanship, rich world-building, and attention to historical nuance earn 5/5 stars from me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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