"[E]xpert plotting and nuanced historical details result in an exceptional story that enchants from the first page to the last.’ —Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
"Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time." —Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
An empowering, uplifting tale of two women from opposite sides of society, and their extraordinary journey of sisterhood, betrayal, love and triumph.
1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or "golden lilies," are the mark of an honorable woman, eclipsing beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant—a muizai—to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery.
Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, uncommon for a muizai, but she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower's escape.
But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but her life—the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her?
Genre: Historical
"Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time." —Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
An empowering, uplifting tale of two women from opposite sides of society, and their extraordinary journey of sisterhood, betrayal, love and triumph.
1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or "golden lilies," are the mark of an honorable woman, eclipsing beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant—a muizai—to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery.
Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, uncommon for a muizai, but she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower's escape.
But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but her life—the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her?
Genre: Historical
Praise for this book
"I love novels that take me away from my everyday life into different cultures, societies and times, and I enjoyed every single page of The Lotus Shoes. It is a wonderful novel, embroidered with colour and skill." - Elizabeth Chadwick
"Captivating and exquisitely rendered.... With deep research and elegant story-telling, The Lotus Shoes offers a fascinating look at the traditions of foot-binding, muizai, filial piety, and polygamy....For me, the centrepiece of the novel was the emotionally rich relationship between Linjing and Little Flower as it evolves over a lifetime and through multiple turns of fortune. I was invested in their story from the first page until the very last words. I so enjoyed this beautiful book! Many congratulations to Jane Yang on her impressive and engaging debut!" - Melissa Fu
"Stunning, transporting, unforgettable. The Lotus Shoes caught me hook, line and sinker from the first pages and Little Flower is the bravest character I've ever read. Jane Yang is going to be a star." - Amanda Geard
"I devoured this stunning debut! Yang's fascinating glimpse into 1800s China, the power plays between multiple wives in a wealthy household, the fixation on prized golden lotuses, and the heroine's exquisite embroidery 'painting' held me spellbound. I can't wait to recommend this novel to everyone I know!" - Alka Joshi
"A fabulous read from the very first page, this is historical fiction at its absolute best. Yang's carefully crafted characters and intricately woven tale showed me a part of history I knew nothing about, and had me reading until midnight to discover the ending. This is easily one of the best books I've read in years, and the story of Linjing and Little Flower will stay with me for a long time to come. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, then you will love The Lotus Shoes." - Soraya M Lane
"In some ways this story is about the plight of women in nineteenth century China but, more importantly, it's about their spirit - their courage to stand up for themselves and for one another in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them. Jane Yang is a hugely talented writer whose elegant prose, eye for historical detail and storytelling prowess fully immerse the reader in her exceptional novel." - Natasha Lester
"The Lotus Shoes is a powerful story, beautifully told. Little Flower and Linjing's story is complex, brutal, tragic, and heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting and satisfying. I feel I have learned a great deal about a place and period I knew very little about. Jane Yang is an exciting new talent and I can't wait to read more from her." - Santa Montefiore
"Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time." - Heather Morris
"I very much enjoyed The Lotus Shoes, an enthralling tale of a bygone era." - Judy Nunn
"Gripping from the very first page until the very last, The Lotus Shoes is a spellbinding, educational and heartbreaking tale of survival and courage. More than a book, this novel is an act of liberation and empowerment for women everywhere." - Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
"Jane Yang gives us a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese women in the 19th century, and a sweeping story wrapped around their pain, joy and tenacity. You'll love it!" - Mandy Robotham
"The Lotus Shoes is a remarkable, transportive debut novel. Jane Yang has created multi-dimensional, rich characters in Little Flower and Linjing, young women who must make morally fraught choices in a world that gives them little option. A story about the sacrifices mothers must make and the persistence of their daughters despite overwhelming odds, The Lotus Shoes will sweep you up in a tangle of emotion." - E M Tran
"Captivating and exquisitely rendered.... With deep research and elegant story-telling, The Lotus Shoes offers a fascinating look at the traditions of foot-binding, muizai, filial piety, and polygamy....For me, the centrepiece of the novel was the emotionally rich relationship between Linjing and Little Flower as it evolves over a lifetime and through multiple turns of fortune. I was invested in their story from the first page until the very last words. I so enjoyed this beautiful book! Many congratulations to Jane Yang on her impressive and engaging debut!" - Melissa Fu
"Stunning, transporting, unforgettable. The Lotus Shoes caught me hook, line and sinker from the first pages and Little Flower is the bravest character I've ever read. Jane Yang is going to be a star." - Amanda Geard
"I devoured this stunning debut! Yang's fascinating glimpse into 1800s China, the power plays between multiple wives in a wealthy household, the fixation on prized golden lotuses, and the heroine's exquisite embroidery 'painting' held me spellbound. I can't wait to recommend this novel to everyone I know!" - Alka Joshi
"A fabulous read from the very first page, this is historical fiction at its absolute best. Yang's carefully crafted characters and intricately woven tale showed me a part of history I knew nothing about, and had me reading until midnight to discover the ending. This is easily one of the best books I've read in years, and the story of Linjing and Little Flower will stay with me for a long time to come. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, then you will love The Lotus Shoes." - Soraya M Lane
"In some ways this story is about the plight of women in nineteenth century China but, more importantly, it's about their spirit - their courage to stand up for themselves and for one another in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them. Jane Yang is a hugely talented writer whose elegant prose, eye for historical detail and storytelling prowess fully immerse the reader in her exceptional novel." - Natasha Lester
"The Lotus Shoes is a powerful story, beautifully told. Little Flower and Linjing's story is complex, brutal, tragic, and heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting and satisfying. I feel I have learned a great deal about a place and period I knew very little about. Jane Yang is an exciting new talent and I can't wait to read more from her." - Santa Montefiore
"Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time." - Heather Morris
"I very much enjoyed The Lotus Shoes, an enthralling tale of a bygone era." - Judy Nunn
"Gripping from the very first page until the very last, The Lotus Shoes is a spellbinding, educational and heartbreaking tale of survival and courage. More than a book, this novel is an act of liberation and empowerment for women everywhere." - Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
"Jane Yang gives us a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese women in the 19th century, and a sweeping story wrapped around their pain, joy and tenacity. You'll love it!" - Mandy Robotham
"The Lotus Shoes is a remarkable, transportive debut novel. Jane Yang has created multi-dimensional, rich characters in Little Flower and Linjing, young women who must make morally fraught choices in a world that gives them little option. A story about the sacrifices mothers must make and the persistence of their daughters despite overwhelming odds, The Lotus Shoes will sweep you up in a tangle of emotion." - E M Tran
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