Thank you HTP Books #partner, for the advanced copy of The Lotus Shoes in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Park Row Books
Published: January 7, 2025
Summary:
An empowering, uplifting tale of two women from opposite sides of society, and their extraordinary journey of sisterhood, betrayal, love and triumph.
1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or “golden lilies,” are the mark of an honorable woman, eclipsing beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant—a muizai—to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery.
Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, uncommon for a muizai, but she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower’s escape.
But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but her life—the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her?
My thoughts:
This is the type of historical fiction I love to read, the type that made me fall in love with the genre so many years ago. When I first heard about the book, the foot binding part immediately stood out to me because one of my absolute favorite books is Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and that is where I was first introduced to foot-binding. I knew then I had to read this book and I’m so glad I did…and I cannot believe it’s a debut!
This is a powerful and heartwrenching look at women and their place in 1800s China. It is rich with historical details and the author’s note at the end is the chef’s kiss! I actually got goose bumps just reading it. Following our main characters, Little Flower and Linjing, you feel the tension between the two girls because of their class differences & see the struggles they face due to a number of things, some of their own making and some forced on them.
This book explores the history and culture of China, especially the practice of foot binding. It’s set during a time when things were starting to change to allow women more freedoms but very slowly. But for some, things will never change and a woman’s value is only measured by the size of her feet and her family’s reputation. This is why I love reading historical fiction…I always end up learning something.
I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend picking this one up!
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