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Lady Tan's Circle of Women
- Narrated by: Jennifer Lim, Justin Chien
- Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
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Lady Tan's Circle of Women
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Summary
In 15th-century China two women are born under the same sign, the Metal Snake. But life will take the friends on very different paths.
According to Confucius, ‘an educated woman is a worthless woman’, but Tan Yunxian – born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separation and loneliness – is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. She begins her training in medicine with her grandmother and, as she navigates the male world of medicine, requiring tact and diplomacy, she struggles against the confining world of her class.
From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose – despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it – and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.
How might a woman like Yunxian break free of tradition, go on to treat women and girls from every level of society, and lead a life of such importance that many of her remedies are still used five centuries later? How might the power of friendship support or complicate these efforts? Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a captivating story of women helping other women. It is also a triumphant reimagining of the life of a woman who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
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What listeners say about Lady Tan's Circle of Women
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marina
- 21-04-24
Great story!
I loved this book! Great story about female life, hardship, friendship...Naration was perfect too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. S. G. Hart-jones
- 21-01-24
Sisterhood & beauty & humanitarianism
This book is transportative …. I got lost in lady tan’s world which was so credible and beautifully scribed. I highly recommend it to men and women as it focuses on the trials and tribulations of just being alive! But it is written with such compassion & human understanding. A must read or listen. Narration was perfect also!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- AB
- 06-01-24
Interesting
Very interesting and intriguing, filled with a wealth of historical details.
The narrator's voice and deliberate pace of reading were incredibly calming.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Chaitali Desai
- 27-01-24
Fascinating blend of history and fiction
It is evident that a lot of research and review has been done to build this book and it’s a fascinating insight into a culture and age I know very little about. At the same time this is a recognisable and relatable human story of a wealthy family with it’s own blend of politics, intrigue and mystery that keeps the reader interested and guessing. Well worth your time!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lize Naude
- 05-09-23
Invite you into a foreign world
Intriguing world that opens before you in the story. It reflects a woman's strength in a vastly different way. The world seems so restrictive from modern day perspective however the clarity and the power the ladies possess is remarkable. A wonderful story and performance
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Christineb
- 11-07-23
Another Insightful Enjoyable Novel
Fascinating with historical details An arrange of great characters but so rich in history Narrated well
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Carmen Mateescu
- 15-11-23
Magnificent Grace
The life of Lady Tan pulled at me and delighted my days. I rejoiced and cried with her.
Its elegant description of lifestyle combined with a deep insight on social life in China of old times makes this novel a gem in its own right, a book to return over and over again.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Joey
- 06-03-24
Incredible insight into Chinese culture
This drew me in so much more than I expected and I felt emotionally attached to Lady Tan. Such an eye opener and fascinating to hear about traditions and duties. I thoroughly enjoyed this and the language used is just beautiful.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 12-12-23
fascinating and unbearable
it is fascinating to get a glimpse into the world of women in 15th century China. At the same time it was a very hard read and I nearly gave up a few times. The cruelty of the foot binding was hard to comprehend, women who were made cripples for the sake of beauty, unbearable. Then the stories of the eunuchs and the concubines... what a horrendous time to have lived in. the story was interesting but I was angry and sad during the whole book.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs u Parekh-Ward
- 21-11-23
Transportive, heart wrenching wonderful story telling
An absolutely gruesome and enlightening depiction of the endurance of women. I found the medical theme a fascinating perspective. Very much recommend this book to anyone who enjoys strong female characters.
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