Book Review: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women.
How strong is your circle? In her sweeping historical novel Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, Lisa See explores this very question, weaving together family, friendship, and history into a rich narrative of female resilience, much as she did in The Island of Sea Women.
Set in 15th-century Ming Dynasty China, the story unfolds in an era of strict patriarchal boundaries. Women underwent agonizing foot-binding from early childhood, physically shaping them for marriage by age fifteen. Confined within the “four walls” of their homes, their societal value was reduced to a single objective: bearing male heirs. Emotional well-being was ignored, and physical ailments were frequently dismissed after all, a husband could easily take a concubine.
Inspired by the life of Tan Yunxian, a real 16th-century female physician, See crafts a compelling work of historical fiction. The narrative centers on two women born under the same astrological sign whose lives diverge drastically: Lady Tan, raised in an elite family, and Meiling, a young midwife in training. Though traditional class barriers should have kept them apart, their paths cross, sparking a lifelong bond.
”Friendship is a contract between two hearts. With hearts united, women can laugh and cry, live and die together.” Grandmother Ru
Through this friendship, Tan Yunxian finds the strength to defy convention. Learning the art of Chinese medicine from her grandmother, she begins treating women across all walks of life developing remedies that remain in use centuries later. See’s narrative highlights how female solidarity provided a lifeline in a society where women’s voices were systematically silenced, and where beauty standards from flawless skin to perfectly bound feet dictated a woman’s entire future. Lady Tan’s Circle of Women offers a poignant reflection on how far the world has evolved regarding gender equality, health, and personal freedom. Ultimately, the novel embodies the Chinese proverb, “No mud, no lotus” a reminder that beauty and strength can bloom from deep adversity, and that the right circle of support can help us endure life’s hardships.
