The Lotus Shoes
A Novel
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A muizai is a mistress's shadow, there to do her bidding . . .
In nineteenth-century China, tightly bound feet, or "golden lilies," are the mark of an honorable woman. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that her golden lilies will someday lead her out of a life of slavery.
Not only does Little Flower have bound feet--uncommon for a muizai--but she is gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with women of fortune. Resentful of these talents, Linjing does everything in her power to keep Little Flower under her thumb. But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, a strict group of women who make their way in life by weaving silk. Little Flower suddenly sees a path to freedom through her skill when she catches the eye of a nobleman. But there is a huge risk: the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she use this knowledge to reclaim her power over Little Flower, or will she protect her?
Richly atmospheric and profoundly moving, The Lotus Shoes is an empowering tale of two women from opposite sides of society and their extraordinary journey of sisterhood, betrayal, love and triumph.
About this Author
Reviews
"Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time." -- Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
"I devoured this stunning debut! Yang's fascinating glimpse into 1800s China, the power plays between multiple wives in a wealthy household, the fixation on prized golden lotuses, and the heroine's exquisite embroidery "painting" held me spellbound. I can't wait to recommend this novel to everyone I know!" -- Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist
"Captivating and exquisitely rendered.... With deep research and elegant story-telling, The Lotus Shoes offers a fascinating look at the traditions of foot-binding, muizai, filial piety, and polygamy....For me, the centrepiece of the novel was the emotionally rich relationship between Linjing and Little Flower as it evolves over a lifetime and through multiple turns of fortune. I was invested in their story from the first page until the very last words. I so enjoyed this beautiful book! Many congratulations to Jane Yang on her impressive and engaging debut!" -- Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring
"Gripping from the very first page until the very last, The Lotus Shoes is a spellbinding, educational and heartbreaking tale of survival and courage. More than a book, this novel is an act of liberation and empowerment for women everywhere." -- Nguyen Phan Que Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child
"The Lotus Shoes is a remarkable, transportive debut novel. Jane Yang has created multi-dimensional, rich characters in Little Flower and Linjing, young women who must make morally fraught choices in a world that gives them little option. A story about the sacrifices mothers must make and the persistence of their daughters despite overwhelming odds, The Lotus Shoes will sweep you up in a tangle of emotion." -- E.M. Tran, author of Daughters of the New Year
"A fabulous read from the very first page, this is historical fiction at its absolute best. Yang's carefully crafted characters and intricately woven tale showed me a part of history I knew nothing about, and had me reading until midnight to discover the ending. This is easily one of the best books I've read in years, and the story of Linjing and Little Flower will stay with me for a long time to come. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, then you will love The Lotus Shoes. " -- Soraya M. Lane, internationally bestselling author of The Italian Daughter and The Secret Midwife
"I love novels that take me away from my everyday life into different cultures, societies and times, and I enjoyed every single page of The Lotus Shoes. It is a wonderful novel, embroidered with colour and skill." -- Elizabeth Chadwick, bestselling author of The King's Jewel
"Jane Yang gives us a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese women in the 19th century, and a sweeping story wrapped around their pain, joy and tenacity. You'll love it!" -- Mandy Robotham, USA TODAY bestselling author of The War Pianist
"Stunning, transporting, unforgettable. The Lotus Shoes caught me hook, line and sinker from the first pages and Little Flower is the bravest character I've ever read. Jane Yang is going to be a star." -- Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight House
"'In some ways this story is about the plight of women in nineteenth century China but, more importantly, it's about their spirit - their courage to stand up for themselves and for one another in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them. Jane Yang is a hugely talented writer whose elegant prose, eye for historical detail and storytelling prowess fully immerse the reader in her exceptional novel." -- Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Alex St. Pierre
"I very much enjoyed The Lotus Shoes, an enthralling tale of a bygone era." -- Judy Nunn, bestselling author of Khaki Town
"The Lotus Shoes is a powerful story, beautifully told. Little Flower and Linjing's story is complex, brutal, tragic, and heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting and satisfying. I feel I have learned a great deal about a place and period I knew very little about. Jane Yang is an exciting new talent and I can't wait to read more from her." -- Santa Montefiore, bestselling author of The Secret of the Irish Castle
"Yang debuts with a fascinating portrayal of ambition and cruelty in 19th-century China...expert plotting and nuanced historical details result in an exceptional story that enchants from the first page to the last." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Yang paints lush landscapes in this coming-of-age tale about sisterhood, love, and status. A stunning debut for historical-fiction fans who appreciate complicated female leads."
-- Booklist
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