Peony in Love
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Product Description
Financial Times
`The story takes the reader on a bewitching journey between worlds'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, you'll love this. One to get lost in' Eve 'An absorbing tale of love in seventeenth-century China' Woman and Home 'See is gifted with a lucid, graceful style' New York Times 'This is a brave, brilliant book' Guardian
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved Snowflower and the Secret Fan so much I didn't think Lisa See could equal it, but with Peony in Love she does. At first I thought it would be about Snowflower's daughter Peony from the first novel, but it's actually set even further back in time, in 17th century China. Foot-binding is still a major theme, though not described in such terrifying detail this time round.Chinese Renaissance opera and a woman's right to write are new themes. The novel, in a faintly satirical but wholly compelling way, also focuses on the complex rituals associated with the afterworld in Chinese mythology. Peony's first person narration and all the sumptuous detail of sights, sounds and smells keep the novel
fresh and modern.
fresh and modern.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The old theme of star-crossed lovers takes an Oriental twist in this historical period drama about a love-struck young girl, an enamored poet, and the opera that not only brings them together but casts them apart.
This story is about Peony, a young woman and only child of a wealthy family. Set in seventeenth century China, when well brought up young women weren't allowed to be seen or heard, especially by strange men, Peony's father organizes a theatrical performance of the opera "The Peony Pavilion", and although her mother doesn't want her to see it, arrangements are made for a screen to be erected, behind which the women can get a glimpse of the epic opera. Peony is a big fan of "The Peony Pavilion", having collected many editions, reading and memorizing many of the popular segments, but even though seeing it live is a big thrill, she becomes more interested in observing a young man sitting in the audience.
Risking her reputation, she wanders off on her own, and as fate would have it, she encounters the young man in an isolated place, where they discover that they enjoy each other's company very much. Unfortunately, Peony is already betrothed by way of an arranged marriage, and as the big day approaches she spends her days dreaming of the young man and obsessively recording her thoughts in an edition of the great opera, refusing food and ignoring the advice of the doctors and other experts that come to see her. From this point her life takes a dramatic turn with a cruel twist, and the story and the opera fuse together in elaborate fashion, becoming a dark fantasy full of ghosts, superstition and tradition.
The author lingers over the historical details, the proud traditions, the poetry of the opera and the protocols of the afterlife, as well as other remarkable activities such as foot binding and embroidery, and although this is an extremely poignant and melancholy book, it is so rich in description that you won't want to put it down. A dramatic, absorbing and informative story that will remain with you for a long time after you've finished reading it.
Amanda Richards
This story is about Peony, a young woman and only child of a wealthy family. Set in seventeenth century China, when well brought up young women weren't allowed to be seen or heard, especially by strange men, Peony's father organizes a theatrical performance of the opera "The Peony Pavilion", and although her mother doesn't want her to see it, arrangements are made for a screen to be erected, behind which the women can get a glimpse of the epic opera. Peony is a big fan of "The Peony Pavilion", having collected many editions, reading and memorizing many of the popular segments, but even though seeing it live is a big thrill, she becomes more interested in observing a young man sitting in the audience.
Risking her reputation, she wanders off on her own, and as fate would have it, she encounters the young man in an isolated place, where they discover that they enjoy each other's company very much. Unfortunately, Peony is already betrothed by way of an arranged marriage, and as the big day approaches she spends her days dreaming of the young man and obsessively recording her thoughts in an edition of the great opera, refusing food and ignoring the advice of the doctors and other experts that come to see her. From this point her life takes a dramatic turn with a cruel twist, and the story and the opera fuse together in elaborate fashion, becoming a dark fantasy full of ghosts, superstition and tradition.
The author lingers over the historical details, the proud traditions, the poetry of the opera and the protocols of the afterlife, as well as other remarkable activities such as foot binding and embroidery, and although this is an extremely poignant and melancholy book, it is so rich in description that you won't want to put it down. A dramatic, absorbing and informative story that will remain with you for a long time after you've finished reading it.
Amanda Richards
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book as I loved 'Snow flower and the secret fan'. At first I was disappointed as I found chapter I not interesting at all, but I stuck with it and am glad I did. After the first chapter the book starts to become compelling to find out the next turn in Peony's life. I have ready a few Chinese novels (The last empress, the secrets of Jin-Shei etc) and each one has shown a different side to the Chinese traditions and this one is no exception, love, death, honour, rituals and mainly the after world.
A wonderful read and another source of information into another beautiful culture
A wonderful read and another source of information into another beautiful culture
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magical....Magnificant!
Don't know what else I can say really except that this is just one of those extraordinary works where you wonder how it is possible for a book to be so perfect. Read more
Published 3 days ago by DR
Peony is a good read, but definitely not a romance
Peony In Love was a really good book, very well written and filled with the all of the drama, conflict, and beautiful prose you would expect from a novel by Lisa See. Read more
Published 4 months ago by E. Newman
A good read.
Again, a lovely book by Lisa See. I learned so much from this book. It's very different to Snow Flower and Secret Fan. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lorelei
Love, Asian Style
I have always been a lover of the peony flower so I bought this book simply because of the artistic rendition of the flower on the cover and the flower name in the title. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Marion Marchetto
A Tragic Love Story
This book is a blend of historical perspective combined with the spiritual life of 17th century China. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Toni Osborne
Absolutely brilliant
Wonderful insight into Chinese culture. If it was possible, I would rate this book with 7 stars. Lisa See is a wonderful writer. Stephen Spielberg should make a film of this. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. Lillian P. Fisher
Simply beautiful
This is the first book that I've read by Lisa See. It is suprisingly charming and full of warmth. Set in China (although, there are elements of this story which are similar to... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ms. J. K. Moore
My favourite book based on old age China
I love this book! I have read it at least four times :) It incorporates a fantastic story as well as facts on China in that era such as foot binding, arranged marriages etc. Read more
Published 23 months ago by H. Pomery
Unlike any other
Completely different from anything I have ever read, or heard of for that reason!
A story told from a dead bride.
It will not disappoint. Read more
A story told from a dead bride.
It will not disappoint. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2010 by Ariess
A romantic and detailed work of historical fiction
Living in seventeenth-century China, Peony has never left her family's home. Her mother has kept her inside to maintain her virtue and modesty as she prepares to marry out to a... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by M. K. Burton
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