49 pages 1 hour read

Lisa See

Lady Tan's Circle of Women

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See fictionalizes the life of Tan Yunxian, a female physician in Ming dynasty China, shaped by her mother’s early death and education by her medical practitioner grandparents. Despite societal constraints, Yunxian marries into a wealthy family and navigates her roles as wife and mother while secretly treating women medically, inspired by her friendship with midwife Meiling to defy tradition and support women's health care across social classes. The novel contains instances of violence, medical trauma, and gender-based discrimination.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Lisa See's Lady Tan's Circle of Women receives praise for its meticulous historical research and vibrant portrayal of female relationships in ancient China. Reviewers commend the engaging narrative and strong character development. However, some find the pacing occasionally slow and the plot predictable. Overall, a compelling read with rich cultural insights.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Lady Tan's Circle of Women?

An ideal reader for Lisa See’s Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is someone who enjoys historical fiction rich in cultural detail and strong female characters. Fans of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club or Lisa See’s own The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane would appreciate this novel’s exploration of Chinese heritage, friendships, and women’s roles in society.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Mothers

Relationships: Friendship

Identity: Femininity

Genre

Chinese Literature

Historical Fiction