Lady Tan's Circle Of Women
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See is a mesmerizing historical novel set in 15th-century China, transporting readers to a world where societal norms and family expectations shape lives, but where resilience and friendship can break through the strictest of boundaries. Two women, born under the sign of the Metal Snake, form an unshakeable bond despite the vastly different paths that life sets them on.
Tan Yunxian is born into an elite yet oppressive family, where the shadow of Confucian values—such as the belief that ‘an educated woman is a worthless woman’—looms large. Haunted by death, separation, and loneliness, Yunxian finds solace and purpose in the practice of medicine. Guided by her grandmother, she starts her medical training, learning to navigate a world dominated by men. Her journey requires careful diplomacy and tact, as she must find ways to apply her knowledge while respecting the confines of her class.
Parallel to Yunxian’s story is that of Meiling, a young midwife-in-training. The two girls, each immersed in the world of women’s illnesses and childbearing, forge a deep friendship and share a unified purpose. Despite societal prohibitions—such as a doctor never touching blood while a midwife frequently comes into contact with it—Yunxian and Meiling vow to be lifelong friends, supporting each other through joys and challenges. Their mantra, “No mud, no lotus," reflects their belief that beauty can bloom from adversity.
The novel delves into Yunxian’s struggles and triumphs as she strives to break free from the traditions that bind her. It explores how she manages to treat women and girls from all walks of life, achieving a legacy so impactful that many of her remedies are still used today, five centuries later. It also examines how the power of friendship can both support and complicate these efforts.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is not just a captivating story of women helping women; it is a triumphant reimagining of the life of a remarkable woman from the Ming dynasty, reminding us of her enduring legacy. This narrative celebrates female resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of knowledge against all odds.
Praise for Lisa See:
“Despite the inordinate limits placed on women, See allows their strengths to dominate their stories." – Washington Post
“Poignant. quietly affecting." – Time
“Emotional and illuminating." – BookPage
“This novel spans wars and generations, but at its heart is a beautifully rendered story of two women whose individual choices become inextricably tangled." – Jodi Picoult
“No one writes about female friendship, the dark and the light of it, with more insight and depth than Lisa See." – Sue Monk Kidd
“See’s thoughtful and empathetic book sheds necessary attention on this largely ignored event." – The New York Times
“A powerful and essential story of humanity." – Los Angeles Review of Books
“A spellbinding portrait of a time burning with opportunity and mystery." – O: The Oprah Magazine
“A lush tale infused with clear-eyed compassion." – The Washington Post