Peony in Love | 
pickThis was a beautiful story of love sickness and enduring love in a time of feminine oppression and betrothal in high society China. In reading the author‘s notes and acknowledgments at the end, learning this was a true story, written as historical fiction was touching and amazing. Lisa See talks about the real opera of the Peony Pavilion and how the commentary of three wives on the opera really existed. Loved it!
pickA slow burning novel that explores seventeenth-century China customs and religion. At the center of this is the work The Peony Pavilion, a real piece of writing that was deemed controversial in its time (how appropriate that I finished this at the start of Banned Books Week).
Peony as a character grows in the novel, covering obsessive love and sorrow and in a way redemption. I didn‘t particularly like her, but her journey of self-understanding ⬇️
It‘s time for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I have 9 questions posted as spoilers - you can find them by either searching my feed, the book‘s feed, or the hashtags. Respond whenever you like! Any additional comments, please post below.
I am taking suggestions for next year‘s reading list, so if you have any, let me know!! Thank you!!
9. How do Peony‘s experiences as a living girl and then as a hungry ghost parallel Liniang‘s experiences in The Peony Pavilion? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
8. Trace the progress of Peony‘s relationship with Tan Ze—through life together in the Chen Family Villa and then in the afterlife. In what ways are Peony and Tan Ze alike, and in what ways are they different? Why do they need each other, and how do they serve one another? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. Peony in Love is very much a tale of secrets and the power secrets can exercise over others. What are the secrets? Who is affected by the secrets and how do they change through the story? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Peony in Love shows the strength of women and women‘s friendship, but in what ways does it also show the dark shadow side of women, whether in the women‘s chambers, between a mother and daughter, between wives, or even between friends? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. How does what happened during the Cataclysm change depending on who‘s telling the story? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. In what ways is mother love, from both a mother‘s perspective and a daughter‘s perspective, explored? What does Peony learn about mother love, and in what ways does she experience it herself? What aspects of mother love still hold true for mothers and daughters today? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Peony thinks she‘s being dressed for her wedding, but instead she‘s taken to the courtyard to die. Peony is certainly surprised by this turn of events. Were you? How does this moment affect Peony‘s future actions and her feelings about her family? How do you feel about this practice? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Peony is filled with doubt after meeting Ren–doubt about their relationship, doubt about ever finding love, and doubt about being a good mother. What is the source of this doubt and how does it grow within Peony? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. What are the different kinds of love that Peony experiences? How does her love for Ren (as well as for her mother, father, grandmother, Yi, and even Willow) change through the years? Have you had similar experiences in your life? ~from LitLovers Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Just a few days left until this month‘s discussion for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Discussion questions will be posted on September 30th.
Also, now‘s the time to think about next year. Any books you would love to read with a group? Comment below!
mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, CatLass007, Sargar114, IndoorDame, MoonWitch94, Sparklemn, julieclair, AllDebooks
pickI love Lisa See! As I‘ve come to expect from her, this made me cry, gave me a window into a little piece of women‘s history in knew nothing about, and left me wanting to know even more. #LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
Reposting for @librarybelle
September‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead begins today! This low key buddy read is read at your own pace, with discussion questions posted on September 30th.
Everyone is welcome to join! Tagging those who are already signed up for this month, but comment below if you wish to be tagged as well.
September‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead begins today! This low key buddy read is read at your own pace, with discussion questions posted on September 30th.
Everyone is welcome to join! Tagging those who are already signed up for this month, but comment below if you wish to be tagged as well.
mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, CatLass007, Sargar114, IndoorDame, MoonWitch94, Sparklemn, julieclair, AllDebooks
Repost for @Librarybelle
In September, the #LiteraryCrew will read Peony in Love by Lisa See. This #BuddyRead is low key - read at your own pace, with discussion questions posted on the 30th.
I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Tagging those who have expressed prior interest. Anyone welcome to join…just comment on original post, and I‘ll add you to the tag list too!
In September, the #LiteraryCrew will read Peony in Love by Lisa See. This #BuddyRead is low key - read at your own pace, with discussion questions posted on the 30th.
I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Tagging those who have expressed prior interest. Anyone welcome to join…just comment below, and I‘ll add you to the tag list too!
mcctrish, Julsmarshall, melissajayne, Jerdencon, kspenmoll, CatLass007, Sargar114, MoonWitch94, julieclair, AllDebooks
I‘ve accepted an unexpected & last minute teaching gig for September, I will be in a grade 5 class so my reading life may be not as prolific as usual. My goals will be Peony in Love with #literarycrew , The Most likely Club with #sundaybuddyreads finishing Vanity Fair with #pemberlittens and starting the next one ( I forget the title) Montana Sky with ? ( I am having a moment here) and hopefully the next inspector Gamache and an audio or two 🤞🏻
🌸Tagged
✨I don‘t really have a system to be honest.
❄️Nope
#wondrouswednesday
Thanks for the tag @Eggs !!
pickI have owned this for years and finally got it read! I found the afterward the most interesting part of this novel. It tells of the origin of the story and I wish I had that information before diving into the novel. I found that it dragged in places, but a good read all in all. A story of love in all its forms and the importance of women having a voice. First May read!
1. Actually just finished a book so nothing right now 😳
2. Peony in Love by Lisa See...has flora in the name, too! Double whammy!
3. Honestly I so rarely rate books 5 stars...I'm not sure what the last one was 😂 Maybe the last volume of Saga?
@Blueberry @rachelsbrittain #weekendreads
pickWell, I tell you what... American sister wives in the 21st century have nothing on the sister wives of 17th century Chinese lore!
pickBook 149
I love Lisa See's books. Her passionate writing transports me, culturally and historically, to her substantive Asian settings. Authentic characters with rich inner dialogue and accessible internal conflicts, especially for female readers, are a hallmark of her work. Peony in Love is no exception.
See comments for the rest of my review.
so-soMy least fave of all the Lisa See books I have read, but still a fascinating history of Chinese women and the lives they were born into. Lovesickness?! It was a real thing.
bailedSadly, I found the plot of this book too contrived (so much coincidence!) and the main character annoying. The writing style wasn‘t my thing either. #bookspinbingo
#7Days7Covers #CoverCrush #day7 😍😍😍📖😋
I‘ve got to travel to #China soon!! I‘ve heard these books are fantastic 💗💗💗
#Augustisatrip
1) picture is of us at the Zoo which will be a regular occasion this summer 😋
2) see above
3)not sure 😳
4) 🤣😋📖🎈🎉
5) some favorites 📚📖🙊🙉🙈🇺🇸🤤🧐🤨🤓🤪🤯🧠🥃 #friyayintro @jesshowbooks
Peony is a romantic. She embraces the philosophy of the epic, Chinese opera, “The Peony Pavilion”. This eventually leads to her demise, but she does visit with her departed grandmother. #seeyouagain #heatofjuly #sogoodireadittwice
In a time when women had no choice I do not see how she got away with some of these actions but she obviously had great courage to follow her heart overall a good read.
Struggled with the darkest part of the forest so I‘ll get back to that one after I read this book 📖 😋
How can we not create a fantasy in our minds when the reality is so hard?
#readingresolutions
April Challenge Day 3.
One of my most favorite authors is Lisa See. I have enjoyed all of the books pictured on audio, and am always waiting with anticipation for the next one. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane I especially loved, but my most favorite was Peony In Love. It was so beautiful and felt like poetry to me. I would definitely recommend any of these on audiobook.
#favoriteauthor
@Jess7
I‘ve been at work all day and I‘ve missed y‘all!!! This is my youngest daughter‘s #pink bridesmaids dress for my oldest daughter‘s wedding in June!! 👰 This is book is on my tbr shelf ☺️☺️💕💕
#Heartsandhardcovers
I know I have too many books on my tbr when I can so easily find books with a #floralcover.
#readingresolutions
@Jess7
January-March #Booked2018 progress.
✅ POC Author: Aliens In America by Sandra Tsing Loh.
Book featuring an Olympic sport: Heart of a Champion by Michelle Kwan.
✅ Body-positive memoir: Hunger by Roxane Gay.
Cozy Mystery: Sex, Murder, & A Double Latte by Kyra Davis.
Feminist classic: still deciding.
Unconventional romance: Peony in Love by Lisa See
pick'... love meant loving someone in spite of and because of his limitations.'
#LitWorld2018GB - China
#LitsyPassport #readaroundtheworld
Fascinating glimpse into ancient traditions and beliefs that may still be in practice nowadays. Unconventional Love for #Booked2018
#readingWomen #overdrive #eBook
GHOST MARRIAGES ARE not as ornate, complicated, or time-consuming as a wedding when both parties are living.
The euphemisms, such as cloud and rain ;p in this unconventional Oriental #LoveStory can be so amusing! #nowreading #overdrive #eBook
#Booked2018 #LitWorld2018GB
#2018BookBinge hosted by @jesshowbooks
1) Author new to me
Lisa See has been on my TBR for a while (sadly forgotten) #readaroundtheworld
Thanks to #LitWorld2018GB and #Booked2018 (Unconventional Love) I have started reading this.
I am charmed by the ancient world yet flabbergasted at some of the excessively traditional treatment / perception of young girls.
#currentlyreading #Overdrive #eBook
#newyearsreadathon #firstBook2018 #eBook
Sneak peek at #TBR for
#LitWorld2018GB (China - Shades of Love)
#Booked2018 (Unconventional Love)
#nowreading #santhiReads2018
#☔️ 2 more from the tbr shelf for #emojinov
