Snow Flower and Secret Fan

Snow Flower and Secret Fan
Lisa See
258 pages
Random House, NY

This novel was about a deep friendship between two women, Lily and Snow Flower. It was about the hardship of women in China in the nineteenth century: the pain of foot binding, the limited freedom to learn and to choose a husband were only a small part of their hardship. After all those, they had to endure humiliation and tortured by the in-law.
The story started with Lily. She was only 6 years old when her mother planned to bind her feet. A matchmaker who was asked to find an auspicious date saw her feet and predicted that she would have a prosperous future. The matchmaker then suggested a girl from a rich family as her laotong or “same old”. Laotong was a tradition to pair a girl with another girl as sworn sisters. You see, back then, a girl would get married and leave her family with a rare chance to see them again. Laotong and sworn sisters were needed to fill the emptiness after leaving the family.
Lily was introduced to Snow Flower, a girl from a rich family. They were instantly became attached. Lily thought she was lucky to have a rich girl to be her laotong. However Snow Flower did not tell her the truth about her family. The secret was disclosed during Snow Flower wedding preparation. Lily found out that Snow Flower family was beyond poor. It was true that Snow Flower family was rich once but the greediness and luxurious life took their money away.
The story continued with their happy life of getting pregnant and having children. Snow Flower was married to a butcher who was considered a polluted job back then.
Their life was destroyed by Taiping rebellion, as they needed to leave their houses and families. Lily who was visiting Snow Flower when the rebellion started had to escape with Snow Flower family and separated from her family for many months.
After the rebellion ended, Snow Flower wrote a letter, which threatened their friendship.
She wrote that she would be cared by her other sworn sisters that enraged Lily. Lily then humiliated Snow Flower with her secret in front of many people. They did not see each other anymore until the news about Snow Flower sickness came to Lily. It was too late to mend the friendship as Snow Flower died from ovarian cancer.
The story ended with Lily’s old day. Her wish to have Snow Flower in her life again came true by marrying Snow Flower’s granddaughter to her eldest grandson.
I had a mix feeling about this story. I felt disgusted to know that the women in this story blindly and obediently followed the tradition that limited their freedom. However at the same time, I felt proud and was relieved of their courage and endurance.
I am also touched by the friendship of Lily and Snow Flower. I am lucky I do not have to go through a life of them as I can still see my family especially my sister whenever I want.

“When a girl, obey your father;
when a wife, obey your husband;
when a widow, obey your son”

I guess that was in Lily and Snow Flower’s mind back then.
What do you think?

"For all women in the world"