From "one of those special writers capable of delivering both poetry and plot" (The New York Times Book Review) an i mmersive 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 .
\nAccording to Confucius\, "an educated woman is a worthless woman \," but Tan Yunxian--born into an elite family\, yet haunted by death\, se parations\, and loneliness--is being raised by her grandparents to be of u se. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China\, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine\, the Four Examina tions--looking\, listening\, touching\, and asking--something a man can ne ver do with a female patient.
\nFrom a young age\, Yunxian learns ab out women's illnesses\, many of which relate to childbearing\, alongside a young midwife-in-training\, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship a nd a mutual purpose--despite the prohibition that a doctor should never to uch 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.
\nBut when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage\, her mother-i n-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-f oot slippers\, recite poetry\, give birth to sons\, and stay forever withi n the walls of the family compound\, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.
\ nHow 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 c enturies later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate th ese 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 rem arkable today.
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