Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Lily is haunted by memories of her past and a person who once shaped her life. With time on her hands, she recalls the story of Snow Flower and seeks forgiveness from the gods. In 19th-century China, where women were foot-bound and isolated, the women of a remote Hunan county created nu shu, a secret script for communication. Some girls formed lifelong emotional bonds called laotongs, exchanging letters on fans, embroidered handkerchiefs, and stories to share their dreams and struggles. When Snow Flower sends Lily a silk fan with a nu shu poem, their friendship begins at age seven. Through famine, rebellion, arranged marriages, and motherhood, their bond offers comfort and strength. Yet, a misunderstanding threatens to break their lifelong connection. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a poignant and vivid portrayal of female friendship set against a richly detailed historical backdrop.