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Sign up todayLady Tan's Circle of Women
Length
13 hours 15 minutes
Language
English
Narrators
Jennifer Lim & Justin Chien
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreBookseller recommendation
“A beautiful book about the struggle and triumph of women in 15th century China. You will feel love, hate, and anger for the characters in this book! An absolutely stunning historical fiction book!”
— Emily • Pages Books and Coffee
Bookseller recommendation
“This book is a rare combination of in-depth historical research based on a true-life character, and an edge-of-your-seat story that takes us through various births, deaths, marriages, and diseases over the course of almost a century. The setting of 15th century China is unique; the reader becomes immersed in the world built by Lisa See, privy to the customs and mores of a singular time and place in history.”
— Camille • Completely Booked
Bookseller recommendation
“Another winner from Lisa See! This fictionalized version of Lady Tan, a real Chinese doctor from the 15th century, is a fascinating dive into a world I knew nothing about. Fans of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan will enjoy this one as well. ”
— Amber • Quail Ridge Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Lisa See's evocative settings, rich history, and beguiling characters tell the story of a Chinese woman drawn to practice medicine in a culture and time when this is forbidden. Only the support of a "circle of women" makes it possible for her to make a critical impact and heal people at all levels of society. Based on the life of Yunxiang Tan who achieved fame as a healer in 1560's China and her courage to defy tradition. An enjoyable historical fiction read. You're sure to remember the characters long after you're finished. ”
— Patience • Underground Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Historical fiction of the kind we don't get enough in the US. Rich with See's meticulous research, we are taken on an intimate journey to one remarkable woman's life during the Ming Dynasty. Beautiful writing of complicated women's relationships, women's health, class, and the politics of the day. A book to savor, especially with the stunning narration on Libro.fm! ”
— Grace • The Novel Neighbor
Bookseller recommendation
“If you enjoy historical fiction, and particularly if you’ve enjoyed Lisa See’s other historical fiction about China, this book won’t disappoint. Based on the true story of a 15th century female physician, See brings the reader into the grand compounds where multiple generations of elite families lived. Her story focuses on the wives, children and concubines whose lives were dictated by strict traditions, as well as Chinese medicine and its use for 'women’s issues'. The combination of palace intrigue and complicated relationships kept me reading. The beautiful descriptions of Chinese traditions and art transported me completely. ”
— Beth • A Great Good Place for Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Women are truly amazing creatures, especially when the connections are life long. ”
— Bobbi • Buffalo Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Historical fiction of the kind we don't get enough in the US. Rich with See's meticulous research, we are taken on an intimate journey to one remarkable woman's life during the Ming Dynasty. Beautiful writing of complicated women's relationships, women's health, class, and the politics of the day. A book to savor, especially with the stunning narration on Libro.fm! ”
— Grace • The Novel Neighbor
*NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!*
From “one of those special writers capable of delivering both poetry and plot” (The New York Times Book Review) an immersive historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century China—perfect for fans of Lisa See’s classics Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane.
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, 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 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? A captivating story of women helping each other, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of The Island of Sea Women, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls, China Dolls, and Dreams of Joy, which debuted at #1. She is also the author of On Gold Mountain, which tells the story of her Chinese American family’s settlement in Los Angeles. See was the recipient of the Golden Spike Award from the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California and the Historymaker’s Award from the Chinese American Museum. She was also named National Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese American Women.
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Reviews
"Lim’s restrained performance captures all the fascinating, if disturbing, details of bound feet, eunuchs, deadly diseases, and the courtly intrigue surrounding aristocratic life during the Ming dynasty. The foreword and afterword are authentically narrated by Justin Chien." Praise for Lisa See"See is one of those special writers capable of delivering both poetry and plot."
—New York Times Book Review
Praise for Island of Sea Women
“Vivid ... thoughtful and empathetic ... necessary."
—New York Times Book Review
“Lisa See’s mesmerizing new historical novel…celebrates women’s strengths—and the strength of their friendships.”
—O, The Oprah Magazine
“Painstakingly researched…deft…a powerful and essential story of humanity.”
—The Los Angeles Review of Books
"Compelling ... takes readers on a journey spanning generations — in this case 1938 to 2008 — as moments of cherished friendship, unspeakable tragedy and, in the end, a plot twist worthy of Raymond Chandler unfold."
—Associated Press
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