by Lisa See
First published 2023
In the shadow of the Nationalist and Communist revolutions, five women in 1930s China forge a lifelong friendship. Lady Tan, the wife of a wealthy businessman, hosts a weekly mahjong circle where her inner circle can find refuge from the social constraints of their era. As personal and political crises converge, the women must rely on each other's courage and compassion to navigate a world on the brink of upheaval.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, contemporary, china, asian-american, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, resilience
Setting: China
Period: 1930s
352 pages · Hardcover · Scribner