Discussion date: September 11 2006

What we thought:

Everyone found this book an amazing reading experience for the way it so dramatically and movingly told the story of two Chinese women and the "secret writing" that sustained their friendship through the years. The only objection, which seriously disturbed one of our members, was that there was so much misery in the horrible oppression against Chinese women of the era that, even though historically accurate, it was a depressing read. But most people gave it a 4.5 or 5-star rating for the beauty of the writing and the depth of characterization and historical detail.

Author's web site