Archive for the ‘19th Century’ Category
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See
SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN is an epic tale which chronicles the lives of two Chinese women, Lily and Snow Flower. Set in a remote area of Hunan Province, Lily was born in 1823, “on the fifth day of the sixth month of the third year of Emperor Daoguang’s reign.” During her lifetime, Lily lives through the reigns of four emperors. Most Chinese girls had their feet bound and spent their lives in seclusion in nineteenth century China. Isolated and illiterate, they were not expected to think or to express emotions. They were expected to bear sons. However, the fortunate women living in Hunan villages of the Jian-yong region were exempt from some of this harsh oppression. They were taught to write a special women’s language and they were allowed, on occasion, to form special friendships.
May 26, 2009
Tags: Chinese, Epic Posted in: 19th Century, China, Facing History, Fiction based on Time Period, Women's Fiction 
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WANTING by Richard Flanagan
WANTING by Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan emphasizes, by its ambiguous title, two of the most contradictory characteristics of Queen Victoria’s reign—the “wanting,” or desire, to conquer other lands and bring “civilization” to them, and the “want,” or lack, of empathy and respect for the people and cultures which they deliberately destroy in the process. An unusual novel which shows the damaging effects of empire-building, on both the conquered and on the arrogant “conquerors.”
May 5, 2009
Tags: Tasmania, Victorian Posted in: 19th Century, Australia, Award Winning Author, Book Club Choice, Literary, Victorian period No Comments
