I read Lisa See’s first historical fiction novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, a few years ago, and it was one of my favorite novels that year. Chinese culture is so different from my American ways and I remember being fascinated by the distinctions between different kinds of love and the Chinese rituals, especially the art of footbinding.
Lily and Snow Flower are laotong – sworn sisters brought together in a match meant to provide the emotional companionship that would not be found in a marriage in 19th century China. They communicate through nu shu, a secret language that’s passed back and forth between women, hidden in the folds of a fan. In the novel, the story is told by the elderly Lily, surrounded by her extended family.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on November 1st. The story of Lily and Snow Flower is woven into a new tale involving their descendants who are also close friends but dealing with the modern struggles of careers and complicated love lives. I’m sure most readers will agree that the movie doesn’t usually stand up to the book, but I’m curious if mixing the two plots will result in a richer one that will stand on its own merits.
To view a trailer of the movie as well as a unique story flip book that combines lines from the book with scenes from the movie, visit http://www.snowflowerstory.com/
Did you see the movie when it was out in theaters this summer? Do you look forward to catching it on DVD?
Nancy couldn’t imagine going through the foot binding process. She writes about her 2 boys, books and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys and Books.
How did I miss that this was made into a movie?? I really enjoyed this book, and isn’t it true that Lisa See was writing (or wrote?) a sequel, too? I’ll definitely be looking for this one in the Redbox!
I know, I totally missed it too! At first I thought it was direct to video but it was released in theaters.
She wrote a sequel to Shanghai Girls, which was released a few months ago – I think it’s called Dreams of Joy. I’m not aware of a sequel to Snow Flower, though she could be working on one.
Ah!! That’s it. Sorry for the confusion. I read Shanghai Girls more recently, so I must have gotten confused. 🙂
Nancy–I also thought it must be direct to video, but then I looked, and I did remember it being out this summer (maybe?), but not doing well, of course, because it doesn’t feature half-naked teens being chased by maniacs, or partying college students, or pothead 30-year-old men who act like college students.