Books and Jams Readalong discussion

This will be a harder one to separate out since the chapters aren't numbered. It is divided into 4 parts so I'll use those parts and the page numbers in my edition. I know your page numbers might be different, but it should be pretty close.

How did you like the start of this book? We meet Lily as a young girl and her laotang, Snow Flower. What do you think of their relationship so far? What has stood out to you about Chinese culture and women so far? Any surprises or is it starting out as you expected?

Really interesting book so far, but the foot binding was a little difficult to read. I’ll admit I didn’t read the descriptions of it as intently as I did the rest of the beginning. Lisa See has so much knowledge about Chinese culture, particularly the older customs, and it is just fascinating. I’ve read both The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and Shanghai Girls, but this book has grabbed my attention more than those two.

I am enjoying the book. I am learning so much about Chinese culture. I agree with Kim, "it is fascinating" . Poor Elder Sister. She is so unhappy with her marriage arrangement and nothing can be done. :-( I hope the rest of the arranged marriages work out for the best.

I am anxious to read comments from the rest of the group.

I also had problems reading the foot binding part, I knew about it before reading the book but not quite so descriptively... I had to put the book down and go do something else before finishing that section.

I just finished this first part tonight. I am really loving it so far. I love the connection between Lily and Snow Flower, but am SUPER curious as to why Lily never was invited to go to Snow Flower's home. I know it was mentioned that it's because of their higher station in life, but something about it all just seems suspicious. I'm nervous for Snow Flower's wedding as it seems like her future in-laws aren't going to be great at all. I have a definite sense of foreboding. I have lots of questions, but am eager to keep going.

I also had a hard time reading about the foot binding. It made my stomach turn and I had to put the book down a bit as well. It's hard to believe tiny, disfigured feet was a sign of class and beauty. I wonder how that started and then became such a big part of Chinese culture.

I have really enjoyed the writing but I almost DNF'd during the foot binding. Like others I also found it difficult to read.

Just finished Part 1. I am really enjoying the book so far. I have heard of footbinding in other books but never knew the whole process and they did them on such young children so that was a little unsettling. Looking forward to reading more about Lily and Snowflower’s relationship.

I enjoyed the first section, but felt I would have liked more. I would love to know more about the other family members, the lives of the men (to contrast with the lives of the women), and the village. I thought the foot binding section was sad when viewed through the eyes of today. It would be interesting to read the thoughts of women who lived through the procedure.

I finally started the book and finished the first section. The foot binding section was really painful to even read. I was so sad when Lilly's little sister died.. She seemed like a very cute girl.
I like the relationship with Lily and Snow Flower so far and I am sure I will get more invested in their relationship in the latter sections. The parts about women having a secret language and writing style really surprised me, this was something I never heard of before.
But I am much more interested in the family relationship so far, it is so sad that Lily desperately needs to be loved.
And the the fact that a woman is worthless unless she marries and has sons really angers me, unfortunately this view is still relavant in many parts of the world (even in some regions of my own country)

Berna wrote: "I finally started the book and finished the first section. The foot binding section was really painful to even read. I was so sad when Lilly's little sister died.. She seemed like a very cute girl...."

I had a hard time with the way the mother spoke to Lily. You know there's love there, but culturally she's so negative and demeaning all the time. Hard to read.

I thought the part about the hierarchy of the individuals in the house was interesting. Especially the fact that the aunt was the lowest ranking, just because she had not birthed a son. Women were truly only viewed as vessels to produce more men, until they became the mother-in-law. I love Lily and Snow Flower’s relationship, but am nervous about what is to come for them.