actuosus

I picked this book up knowing nothing but the author. Having read Lisa See's "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" years before and adoring it, I believed this would follow the same formula: historical fiction of a girl in China trying to find a balance between duty and her own emotions. While "Peony in Love" contained these elements, I was shocked (and perhaps a little disappointed at first) to discover this story contained strong paranormal elements within its pages. However, after the initial surprise wore off and I accepted that this was not a traditional historical fiction, I enjoyed the novel a bit more. "Peony" explores the deep effects words can have on a person and the soul as well as how love can linger even after death. The title character often shows her ignorance of the ways of life and death at the story's start and slowly begins to learn the lessons she should have had the patience for while she was among the living. The depth of all characters improves, but this can also try the patience of the reader.

2022-09-09 17:36