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Peony in Love: A Novel
 

Peony: A Novel

by Lisa See

“I finally understand what the poets have written. In spring, moved to passion; in autumn only regret.”

For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, these lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic... (read more)

Top tags: historical fiction,  china,  fiction,  women,  ghosts (all tags)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

Melanie I
  • Rated 5 stars

“Chinese history and culture is fascinating to me. I tried to get my daughter to read it but she said she knew all about ancestors etc from watching the Disney movie "Mulan" !”

Melanie I’s full review »
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Didn’t Like It

Angela O
  • Rated 2 stars

“The book is well written but I just didn't like it.”

Angela O’s full review »
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Community:
  • Rated 3.521368 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 0 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • magsimprov

    magsimprov said:

    “This book was an enjoyable surprise! I just finished Lisa See's novel Snow Flower which I enjoyed but I really loved this one. It is historical fiction set in the seventeeth century China. The opera in question (The Peony Pavilion- written in 1598) is authentic and was permanently banned in China in 1868. The Three Wives Commentary, the maidens dying of Lovesickness and the concept of ghost marriages are all historically true. In the mid-seventeenth century more woman writers were being published than in all the rest of the world at that time. Out of the ordinary but interesting. ”

    posted Sunday, August 3 2008
  • Julie B

    julie b said:

    “One of the finest books I have read in the past few years. A wonderful love story and passionate statement on the power of women as writers. I saw the ghost portion of the book as a comment on (and desire for) the human as spirit that transcends the grave, especially in light of the human desire to wish we could have known our ancestors or our parents' lives before we were born. The naivete of the narrator created empathy. The "rain and clouds" metaphor is interesting. ”

    posted Sunday, March 9 2008
  • Azuree

    azuree said:

    “I really didn't enjoy this book as much as I hoped. Everyone raved about Snowflower so I had high hopes and I was disappointed. Maybe it's that it was historical fiction, which isn't my favorite, but the whole ghost thing and plot with the play was just a little farfetched for my taste. Some of the imagery was beautiful, though, and it was an interesting look into a culture I didn't know much about.”

    posted Sunday, February 24 2008
  • Catherine A

    catherine a said:

    “Excellent treatise on the Chinese beliefs in the after life wrapped around a love story - great read!”

    posted Friday, January 25 2008
  • hireapoet

    hireapoet said:

    “A journey to the afterworld, a love story, a bonding between women from innocence
    to experience a great trip.Maxine”

    posted Wednesday, October 24 2007
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