Cindi
asked
Lisa See:
In your recent novel about Lady Tan, the practice of foot binding is discussed. I think you did a great job of showing the whys and the effects but you never addressed something i have read about the practice - that it was also done because it was believed to tighten thigh muscles to enhance sexual pleasure for men. You also didn't explain why men were attracted to aroma of the feet .. what aroma?
Lisa See
Yes, the tightening of thigh muscles was one of many reasons that footbinding was popular. But who knows why men were attracted to the aroma? That's a real mystery to me. (What can I say except men are men...) The reason there was an aroma was that the feet were tightly wrapped for four days. China can be very hot and humid, so you can imagine how things began to smell. I'm guessing that the powders and perfumes designed to mask the smells contributed to a unique aroma.
More Answered Questions
Emily
asked
Lisa See:
Hi Lisa! Thank you for writing novels that are just lovely, and incredibly inspiring. Reading your novels has been constant encouragement that I should pursue writing my own family’s history. I come from an intricate yet beautiful Chinese family; as my grandmother's life is (sadly) coming to an end, I can't help but want to tell her story. How did you go about your research to develop your works of hist. fiction?
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