Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
(Format used for this book: Audiobook)
According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient.
From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.
But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, pluck instruments, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.
How might a woman like Yunxian break free of these traditions, go on to treat women and girls from every level of society, and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a captivating story of women helping other women. It is also a triumphant reimagining of the life of a woman who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today
Oh my goodness I am always head over heels for books written by Lisa See.
The way she writes historical fiction is just SO DAMN GOOD.
THIS is the way I like to learn historical facts sometimes….with a little biti of fiction sprinkled in here and there!
I also truly adore the way her books are always about women and the deep connection they have to each other.
How across time, we have always been helping each other and supporting each other…and our fierce bond is one that men do not quite understand.
The history in this book was absolutely FASCINATING.
Lady Tan was a REAL FEMALE DOCTOR in China yall…..in the dang 1500’s!
Friggin’ AWESOME.
Traditional Chinese medicine is so interesting to me because they believe in looking at the body as a WHOLE to discover what is causing symptoms or problems.
A patient’s WHOLE PHYSICAL SELF is examined as well as their habits and emotions…definitely the opposite of Western medicine where we just have tunnel vision and try to eliminate the one symptom without looking at the entire picture.
Chinese traditional medicines views the body as entire, connected system, not just to its self, but to nature and the universe as well.
So much of their wisdom and knowledge and remedies from super long ago are all STILL valid, useful, helpful and could be life changing for many people.
(Obviously not ALL of it but man….sure is PLENTY of it)
Western medicine sure could take some cues and learn from things from ancient cultures.
(Interesting tidbit: Did you know that Chinese medicine had the first form of a vaccine as a way to combat smallpox? By grinding up small pox scabs and either blowing them up kid’s noses or puncturing an arm with a needle–FASCINATING)
I was so pumped to find additional info on her website about all the things mentioned plus more like culture and traditions…check it out:
I LOVED the way this story showed how women found ways to be powerful and impactful to their communities, even though they were taught that MEN were the “smart” ones and the ones to
“submit” to.
Even in a patriarchal society where women are seen as second rate and as mostly baby making vessels (mostly for SONS), the women found ways to educate themselves and each other…and also empower themselves and each other.
They never stopped loving each other and looking out for each other. 💗
This was an informative, entertaining, emotion filled and just plain terrific piece of historical fiction.
Enjoyed it completely from start to finish.
Still a huge fan.
Don’t ever miss out on ANYTHING Ms. Lisa See writes, yall.