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ellesandiego's review against another edition
4.0
Great representation of asian culture and fantastic portray of the concept that you don’t have to have a petite figure to be independent and find love. Also fantastic character development!!
Throughout the entire book Ailin was stuck of the fact that her engagement was broken because she didn’t want her feet to be painfully bound, but you get to see her character grow as she works with the Warner family and eventually get married to a man who wants her for personality, not for money or her figure. She learns how to let go of certain things, especially things related to her family.
This book denies the asian stereo type that both parents want straight A’s and a well behaved child at all times. While Ailin’s mother was not so supportive of her decision to move to the US, get a job, and marry a man she actually loves, her father was very supportive of it. It was nice to see a book on asian culture without the stereotypical “asian tiger parent”.
Overall a really good book and would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about Chinese culture or wants an accurately written story on growing up asian :)
Throughout the entire book Ailin was stuck of the fact that her engagement was broken because she didn’t want her feet to be painfully bound, but you get to see her character grow as she works with the Warner family and eventually get married to a man who wants her for personality, not for money or her figure. She learns how to let go of certain things, especially things related to her family.
This book denies the asian stereo type that both parents want straight A’s and a well behaved child at all times. While Ailin’s mother was not so supportive of her decision to move to the US, get a job, and marry a man she actually loves, her father was very supportive of it. It was nice to see a book on asian culture without the stereotypical “asian tiger parent”.
Overall a really good book and would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about Chinese culture or wants an accurately written story on growing up asian :)
lilycooper's review against another edition
3.0
quick n easy read that was also pretty good. i wish the story had a little more meat especially with her love life but i am happy with how short it was
teganbeesebooks's review against another edition
5.0
I remember reading this and being shocked, I had no idea that this happened. It's been awhile since I've read this, but it has stuck with me. I definitely need to re-read it.
kellysmaust's review against another edition
4.0
I regrettably don't know enough about the setting and time period to confidently say this book is historically accurate, but the fact that the author (surprisingly, unlike most English-language historical novels about Chinese or other East Asian women) is actually of Chinese descent and a former college professor lends it some likely credibility in my opinion. It's a really well-written, quick-to-read historical fiction about a young girl growing up during a really tumultuous time in Chinese history (the 1911 Revolution) and making bold, brave choices to carve out a better life for herself. It acknowledges a lot of subtlety and complexity in issues of the time regarding feminism, culture, family, and politics. I would definitely recommend for at least 12 and up as the horrors of foot-binding practices are a central theme. If your kid isn't already traumatized by Gladys Alward missionary biographies as I was, no need to change that too quickly!
demzy's review against another edition
3.0
The last time I read this, I was maybe 13. I remember not being able to put it down. This is still a lovely book about a girls personal development and the freedom she chose over the life she was originally destined from her family. A great read for a young reader.
librarydragonfly's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookswithbecca's review against another edition
2.0
Lensey Namioka gives an interesting viewpoint into the life of an intelligent female mind just trying to break free from the constricting chains of Chinese society. The time has come for Ailin's feet to be bound just like many young girls before her. But Ailin is much more interested in running free and attending school, things that are not at all proper for a young lady of her social standing. Readers follow her on her journey to find a place to call home in a world of strict rules and standards. I think I might have liked this book more if I was in like 5th grade. The writing was just too simple. Also I have never read a book that has repeated its main theme so many times. The phrase "Why can't my feet be free and unbound?" or just "bound feet" was essentially repeated at least once every page. sometimes motifs are meant to be subtle. This one felt like the author was trying to pound it in my brain with a hammer. I do have great respect for the way the author portrayed the setting and wove in information that taught me a lot of Chinese culture and history. honestly, if I was younger and she had toned done the feet stuff, I think I would have enjoyed this more. Also, the romance did not make any sense. You don't meet someone and then just fall into eternal happiness and romance at like 14, it doesn't make any sense. (Unless you are Cassandra Clare and you handle it right). I hate it when people tone down love to give a convenient ending to a book. The only thing I really liked with this book was how the character actually did something with her life. I won't spoil it, but there is some cooking involved (and I love cooking). Overall, you either need to read this book not expecting much from it, or you are really into learning about Chinese foot binding, or you are in like 5th or 6th grade.
kelliepalmer's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an easy read. It's one of those books that make you wonder what your life would be like if you lived in the book's time period. How would you have felt?