I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book.
The cover and the summary are what made me curious and ask for an arc of “The Lotus Shoes”. I wanted to like this book and I came away from this read in tears and in love with the story, the characters and the writing.

The plot sold in the summary only comes around 50% of the way through the novel, but it didn't bother me. Even though I was waiting for the promised breaking point, I enjoyed following Little Flower and Linjing in their lives that were both so close and so far apart. We are on a historical fresco, even a family one, with the points of view of a slave and the other of a lady, which means that for several subjects discussed we have two drastically different points of view.

The first part of the novel focuses on life in the Fong family, we learn about the hierarchy that governs the women/wives of the family. I didn't know it was so complex, and that there was so much power play between them. Many cruel and hard moments to read. 
The second part focuses on the aftermath of the "incident" and with it, we have the emergence of a little love story that I hadn't seen coming and that I really liked! This second part made me laugh as much as I cried, and until the end I thought it was going to end badly... And thank God it didn't!!

Of our two main characters, I must admit that I preferred Little Flower, who was sold as a slave at a young age and showed a resilience that few of us would have been capable of. She was humiliated, mutilated, robbed... And despite everything, she gets back up, fights for what she wants and for what she believes in. She even tries to understand, without excusing them, the people who hurt her. She shows a maturity and kindness that commands admiration. Despite coming from a peasant family, she is far from stupid, and she has managed to elevate herself intellectually with the crumbs she was given. 
Linjing is a much harder character to like. I enjoyed following her, but she is selfish... But that comes from the way she was raised, why fight and make efforts/compromises when you are born into a family that gives you everything? She has her good moments and I admit that her redemption at the end, where she finally realizes everything she did wrong, brought tears to my eyes. This Linjing was there from the beginning, but didn't have the opportunity to come out of her shell, because she was too blinded by her status.

This book touches on many subjects: the independence of women, slavery, but also art or how a passion/talent can help to overcome even social status.

I would recommend this book to people who love historical fiction, beautiful written book and also books with the same vibes as "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK

When I first opened "The Lotus Shoes," I was immediately captivated by the promise of a heart-rending story set in 19th-century China. The novel follows the intertwined lives of two young girls, Little Flower and Linjing, whose fates are bound together in unexpected

Little Flower is sold to the wealthy Fong family to become a muizai, a maidservant, at a young age. Despite her lowly status, she possesses bound feet, known as "golden lilies," and a remarkable talent for embroidery, both of which are typically associated with women of higher status. Linjing, the daughter of the Fong family, initially resents Little Flower for her talents and does everything in her power to keep her under control. However, as they grow up, their relationship evolves from bitter rivalry to tentative friendship. When scandal strikes the Fong family, both girls are cast out and must navigate their new lives within the Celibate Sisterhood, a strict group of women who make their living by weaving silk.

From the very first page, I was drawn into the rich historical setting and the complex dynamics between the characters. Yang's writing is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the small, bound feet and the intricate embroidery that play such crucial roles in the story. The emotional depth of the characters, especially Little Flower, resonated with me deeply. Her resilience and determination to rise above her circumstances were truly inspiring.

The relationship between Little Flower and Linjing is the heart of the novel. Their journey from enmity to a fragile alliance is beautifully portrayed, and I found myself rooting for both of them despite their flaws. The twists and turns in their story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending left me both satisfied and reflective.

Overall, "The Lotus Shoes" is a masterfully crafted novel that offers a poignant exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the struggle for identity and freedom full of richly drawn characters, and high emotional drama

This is a beautiful story entrenched in Chinese culture. The characters are compelling, and the story told against a backdrop of footbinding is wonderfully written. The plot keeps you guessing until the final pages.

Set in China in the 19th century, this is the story of two girls from different stations in life. Little Flower is sold to become a muizai to the daughter of the wealthy Fong family. Little Flower had had her feet bound from the age of four, by her mother, hoping that her lotus feet would help her to get ahead in the world. Linjing on the other hand, had been made not to have her feet bound by her father, hoping to marry her into a progressive Chinese family, who didn't believe in the practice.

The story is told in alternating chapters from the two girls, and shows us the effects of these two decisions on them, in a China that is slowly changing with Western influences. Little Flower is a very likeable character, determined to get ahead, despite her origins, and being aware of her own worth, not just as a slave, owned by her family, but also as a highly accomplished embroiderer. Linjing, not so much. She is spoiled, and bitter. She resents any kindness her mother shows to Little Flower for her skills, but can't be bothered to apply herself and gain those skills for herself.

Their ups and downs, from the time their lives became bound together, makes for a diverting tale, but ultimately, I didn't really believe in Linjings ending; it seemed a bit out of character. This is pretty good for a debut novel, and I would happily read more from the author.

*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*

How much did I love this amazing historical powerhouse of a novel. In 1800s China, we follow Little Flower, who is sold to a well off family as a servant, and Linjing, who is in control of her. Despite the dark and serious issues at play, this book is also full of love and friendship.

An extraordinary story of resilience, hardship and struggle against a woman’s lot, fascinating to me as I know little about late nineteenth century China. It’s beautifully written, with well-rounded characters and tremendous empathy for the experience of women whose lives were dictated by their sex, their social status, and their families. The story deals with a time when customs were changing to allow women more freedom, but slowly, and not without cost. The POV characters are dynamic and although the reader can’t always approve of their decisions, or like them, the author skilfully makes it possible to understand and to forgive them. There are some shocking moments and circumstances this story doesn’t shy away from portraying the brutality and pain women might have suffered in a society where their value was measured by the size of their feet and their family’s reputation.
I have no hesitation in giving this book five stars, and am grateful for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This was an excellent read. Set in China in the late 1800’s, it has a well crafted plot with quite a few surprising twists and turns. The book centres on the interdependence of a girl sold into slavery by her mother and the girl she becomes the property of as they grow into young women. It is not a comfortable read at t8mes as the book does not fight shy on the appalling treatment given especially to the disadvantaged and it highlights that no matter your social class your choices as a woman are extremely limited. The book was to me highly informative and therefore a thoroughly worthwhile read.

captivating, immersive, in equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking. a deeply researched novel that reads like a fable. The Lotus Shoes tells the story of two Chinese women - one a slave, one a noblewoman - who are bound together from childhood. resentments and betrayals rise and fall throughout their adolescence, but their destinies are intertwined and they must carve out a new future for themselves. really stunning and a lovely bedtime read. thank you NetGalley for this review copy!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review .

A heartbreaking historical drama following two young girls in a changing China at the cusp of the 20th century - one a noble, another her indentured slave - and the highs and lows of their lives. While the writing is quite straightforward and at times even simple, something about the story of Little Flower and her mistress Lady Linjing is so compelling and captivating that I found it hard to put the book down. I found myself a lot more sympathetic towards Little Flower's character, but enjoyed the moments of seeing things from Linjing's POV as well - it added layers to the story to be able to see what was essentially the antagonist's story too.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good, sweeping historical read - and anyone with an interest in China's recent history. The book is set at a time where the empire had its feet in two worlds: one of the past, with strict rules of hierarchy including expectations on women and girls; another looking to a future of change and huge social upheaval.

Check trigger warnings: this book includes graphic descriptions of foot binding and abuse.

Starting the year with this sisterhood saga historical fiction set in late 19th century China felt important and apt. In The Lotus Shoes, Little Flower is raised in a loving, but poor, family. From the age of four, her mother has diligently taught her her worth in the world, making sure to carefully bind her feet to ensure she’d have the perfect ‘golden lilies’ – a ladylike sign that you’re worthy of being married. But, Little Flower is soon sold as a ‘muizai’ (a domestic servant in an affluent household; directly translating to ‘little sister’ in Cantonese) to the Fong household.

Linjing also knows her worth. Born to a wealthy family, she is her father’s favourite and has servants to cater to her every whim and, soon, Little Flower becomes her newest. Yet when her beloved father decides to leave her feet unbound – making a case for modern values – Linjing’s perfect bubble is burst. How can she be a lady and master to Little Flower and her golden lilies?

Beautifully told in lush, meandering prose, The Lotus Shoes charters the story of Little Flower and Linjing as their worlds converge in a tangle of resilience, self-belief, jealousy, sisterhood, femininity and womanhood in a fast-changing new world between Shanghai and Hong Kong. For Yang’s debut, this is a brilliantly immersive, moving tale. I had a few issues with pacing, but this is quickly patched over by the incredibly sharp vignettes Yang paints to deepen the story and paint China’s cultural history, and its societal and gender values. This is a dual perspective story, which of course might not work for everybody, but does a great job in highlighting the marked frustration of each character. A gorgeous, moving story.

This is a great read, a new take on a story of Chinese foot-binding, with Linjing encouraged by her father to adopt natural feet rather than having her feet bound into the 'golden lilies' so prized by society.

Linjing comes to resent her big feet, and particularly the golden lilies of her new maid Little Flower, and her cruelty to her maid because of this is horrid.

Sold by her mother, Little Flower finds life as a maid hard, and her journey through life alongside Linjing is one they must both adapt to and learn to bear, as a fall from grace becomes something they must both acknowledge.

I found the ending interesting and satisfying, and the characters are well-written and jump off the page; Jane Yang is certainly an author to look out for again.

As a child, Little Flower is sold to Linjing's wealthy family to become a muizai. In a fit of childish jealousy over her new handmaiden's ladylike bound feet and talent for embroidery, Linjing ensures Little Flower can never leave her to ascend in society.
Despite their starkly different places in the Fong household, over the years the two girls must work together to secure both their futures through Linjing's marriage. As the two grow up, they are by turns bitter rivals and tentative friends.

This was an interesting read, showing the pain and suffering of life in ancient China. It reminds me of Wild Swans in its honest depiction. I did get a little confused as to who was speaking as the story is described from different viewpoints but I found it well written.

The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang is a deeply immersive work of historical fiction inspired in part by the author's family history. In the book we follow the intertwined fates of two women from childhood and see how their relationship evolves over time. Little Flower and Linjing come from very different families. Little Flower is sold into servitude as a child despite her mother's wishes for a brighter future for her, while Linjing's progressive father is determined to defy social conventions when it comes to Linjing and her future marriage. Little Flower is bought by Linjing's family and from the beginning the relationship between the two young girls is fractured by jealousy and resentment. However their fates are bound closely together and when Linjing realises how smart and capable Little Flower is she is determined to keep her by her side, no matter the cost to Little Flower's own future happiness. It seems like these two women are destined to hurt each other over and over again but fate works in mysterious ways and the bitter rivals become tentative friends.
I loved this book which swept me away to another time and place, to a society and culture that is so different from my own. The prose is lush and evocative and there is a real attention to detail that really made me curious to learn more about the history I was reading about. The characters feel very real, they have flaws and fears as well as dreams and desires. It was not hard to feel sympathy for Little Flower but I was surprised by how much sympathy I also had for Linjing by the end of the book. The author does not shy away from the darker elements of the story she is telling, and there were some descriptions of punishments and torture that had me wincing as I read. There is a real emphasis on the rigidity of culture and tradition and the difficulty and limitations that that places on women in particular. The author has packed a lot of story into this book, there were plenty of moments when I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next, I just did not want to put this book down,
This is an exceptional book and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

An interesting read. Chinese culture has always been very different from Western culture and still remains so. Little Flower is sold as a slave to the Fong family as a maid to their daughter, Linjing. Little Flower suffers under Linjing and the family matriarch. The story is told by the two girls but it is not always clear who is speaking without going back to the beginning of the chapter showing the name. It's a pity that the lotus flower at the beginning of each chapter is different for each narrator.
I am sure many readers will enjoy the book but it wasn't for me.

Set in 1800's China, The Lotus Shoes follows Little Flower, a slave and her Mistress Linjing. Little Flower is didn't get much from her mother when she sold her into slavery, except her Golden Lilies.

This is the tradition of foot binding and is seen as a sign of Ladies and good breeding. Women who have their feet bound wear Lotus Shoes (hence the title). So the fact that Linjing is a lady but doesn't have Golden Lilies but her slave Little Flower does is something she cannot bear. So she ensures Little Flower's Golden Lilies are taken from her.

Thus begins a rivalry that follows the girls as they grow up into adults. Life deals plenty of twists and turns for them both and their lives are intertwined in so many ways.

This was an easy read and jumped perspectives between the two girls. I have to admit that Linjing is quite unlikeable and makes very questionable decisions, whilst Little Flower becomes a true survivor.

There are echoes of similarities with Memoirs of a Geisha - a young girl sold i to slavery, rivalry between female characters, a special talent and a great supporting cast of characters. Little Flower is definitely my favourite character and there is a lot of depth in her story!

I learnt a lot about the Chinese culture if this period and am fascinated to read more! I'm so thankful I was granted early access to this arc by @littlebrownuk on @netgalley, thank you.

The Lotus Shoes is out 28th January so I hope you consider picking it up of you enjoy - underdog stories, historical fiction, strong female characters and forbidden love.

Favourite quote:
"She was a pedigree horse wearing blinkers, only able to see the safe, privileged path she trod. How could she understand that a slave's life was a tightrope?"

In this beautifully interwoven narrative, we follow Little Flower, who is sold into slavery to the Fong family at the age of six, and Linjing, the eldest Fong daughter who becomes her mistress. Together, they must navigate their lives as Chinese women in a man's world.

The story switches between the points of view of Little Flower and Linjing, allow us to see situations from the perspective of two different classes. The writing is immersive and the cultural aspects are clearly presented, making this easily accessible to readers who may not be familiar with China in the 1800s.

A recommended read for fans of Memoirs of a Geisha, Lisa See's novels, and historical fiction centred on female characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly can I have a bit of commotion for the cover. How gorgeous is it?! And I would also like to point out that this is Jane's debut, and so she's definitely got my intrigued for her future work.

I haven't read much Chinese fiction, in fact I think I've only read a handful over the years, but what I have found is it tends to be wrapped up in a sense of magic. I can't quite put my finger on it. But I find fiction from that part of the world (China, Japan, Korea), it's like a kind of nostalgia for a place and time I don't know. They seem almost...delicate. In the way a ceramic vase can be beautiful but fragile, that's how I feel about books from that part of the world. Hopefully that makes sense to you, or you might just think I've officially lost the plot - you wouldn't be the first one to think that.

I do love a historical novel, especially when set in a place I know nothing about, so this had it all going for it.

This book opened me up to a culture I knew little about. For example, I had heard of foot binding, but I never really understood what foot binding means in China, only my uneducated western opinion, and so I love having my eyes opened to important cultural aspects that seem to have passed me by.

It is quite a hard book to read in terms of the content. It's not full of violence or erotica or anything like that. But there's certain elements that I found quite distressing to read - which I admit may be due to my lack of cultural understanding.

I admit there were times I considered stopping reading it. Not because it was bad or boring or I wasn't enjoying it, no. But because it made me really angry, some of these things that they do, treating young girls the way they do (I won't spoil it by saying how), or "unworthy" mothers. And I think because it's very real is what angers me. So it wasn't a book I could read in one sitting. I had to take breaks from it and let it sink in.

It is very character heavy, which I like. There is a plot but this is more the journey of the characters go on and how they work off each other, which I really enjoyed.

There are a few time jumps in the book, which I understand because you want to show these characters at different ages, but some I felt were a little sudden. I'd have liked a more gentle transition through the ages so we can get a really good picture of how they are at each stage, but that's a small point, and not enough to make the reading of it less enjoyable, just an observation.

I did think it was going to be a Cinderella Story kind of story, which it wasn't. It went down a route I wasn't necessarily expecting but it was still an interesting story to read, I couldn't guess where I thought it was going at any stage.

Overall I think it's a very promising debut. It's full of heart, history, passion, and culture, with well written characters and a fascinating journey. It's very honest and raw and not always in a way that makes for easy reading, but very interesting and enjoyable all the same. This is a very accomplished book that it's hard to believe it's Jane's debut, but I am eager to see how she follows it up.

Oh my goodness what a wonderful read. I soaked up every page. Set in 19th century China this is the story of two very different girls/women. At the tender age of six Little Flower is sold by her mother to the wealthy Fong family and she becomes a muizai to the first wife’s daughter Linjing, her job is to be at Linjing's beck and call, basically her personal slave. Little Flowers has bound feet, rare for the lower classes, and she also excels in embroidery. Linjing's father has decided that her feet should not be bound as he wants her to marry a progressive man who doesn’t want a woman with lotus feet. A beautifully written narrative had me captivated in this well paced story.

Briefly, Linjing is jealous of Little Flower’s tiny feet and embroidery skills, made worse when Linjing’s mother praises Little Flower and seems to compare the two children unfavourably. As a result Linjing doesn’t treat Little Flower well and when, at the age of 18, Little Flower should be given her freedom into marriage Linjing makes sure she can’t leave her. However, before Linjing’s own marriage takes place, and the two young women leave the Fong household, a terrible tragedy takes place and the two women end up leaving for a very different place and life.

Little Flower is such a lovely character, despite all the dreadful treatment she received she is kind and generous whereas Linjing has been spoilt since birth and she believes that she is above everyone else, she seems to have no redeeming qualities. The relationship between them has ups and downs but more downs than ups and Little Flower suffers greatly from the downs. A captivating and powerful story of the terrible place that women endured in the culture of China at this time, it was brutal and heartbreaking and I loved it!

From the start I was absolutely engrossed in this story. It’s so rich and the author draws such a vivid picture of China and its culture and traditions that I was utterly transported into the world of Little Flower and Linjing.

With her father dead and the family impovershed, Little Flower is sold to the wealthy Fong family to be a maid to their daughter Linjing. Two very different girls, bound together, face the challenges of growing up as women in 19th century rural China.

The Lotus Shoes is very much a character driven story and the development of both characters as individuals and their relationship with each other is skillfully done. The tale is told in alternating chapters giving us an insight into Little Flower & Linjings thoughts and reactions to their changing situation. Little Flower is much easier to like from the off but Linjing has such an interesting journey and I really felt like I travelled it with her. You can’t help but wishing for the best for both of them

This is a really well written , powerful and fascinating story that I was very sad to finish. Highly recommend

Huge thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read an early copy

Lotus Shoes is a story where we follow Little Flower on her journey to a better life but unfortunately this plan is ruined by Linjing. We learn more about the certain Chinese traditions and how in 1800s women were affected by these traditions. This is a lovely story about friendship, forgiveness and love with some characters more enjoyable than others.