by Lisa See
First published 2007
Peony, a sheltered daughter of a wealthy family, secretly attends a scandalous opera performance. There, she catches sight of a handsome stranger and is consumed by forbidden desire. As Peony navigates the constraints of her cloistered life, her forbidden love threatens to unravel the very fabric of her world. In this lush historical drama, See explores the power of passion, the weight of tradition, and the enduring human need to be heard.
Genres: drama, romance, literary-fiction, historical-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate
Tropes: family-secrets, forbidden-love
Setting: China
Period: 17th Century, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
480 pages · Hardcover · Random House Large Print