The Lotus Shoes: A Novel

by Jane Yang

Overview

"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?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780778310679
Publisher:	Park Row Books
Publication date:	01/07/2025
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.13(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.23(d)

About the Author

Jane Yang was born in the Chinese enclave of Saigon and raised in Australia where she grew up on a diet of superstition and family stories from Old China. Despite establishing a scientific career, first as a pharmacist and later in clinical research, she is still sometimes torn between modern, rational thinking and the pull of old beliefs in tales passed down through the family. She lives in Australia with her family.

Editorial Reviews

"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

"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, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

“Captivating and exquisitely rendered… For me, the centerpiece 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!” —Melissa Fu, award-winning author of Peach Blossom Spring

“Embroidered with color and skill, The Lotus Shoes brings the turning world of nineteenth-century China to life, with the conflicts between traditional and modern attitudes handled with sureness and compassion. I enjoyed it immensely.” —Elizabeth Chadwick, bestselling author of The King's Jewel

"Jane Yang gives us a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese women in the nineteenth century, and a sweeping story wrapped around their pain, joy and tenacity. You'll love it!" —Mandy Robotham, USA TODAY bestselling author of The War Pianist

“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, bestselling author of The Secret of the Irish Castle

“The Lotus Shoes is about the plight of women in nineteenth-century China, and more importantly their spirit—their courage to stand up for themselves and each other in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them. Yang's elegant prose, eye for historical detail and storytelling prowess fully immerse the reader in her exceptional novel.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Alex St. Pierre

"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, author of Daughters of the New Year

“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, bestselling author of The Secret Midwife

"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, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing

From the Publisher