Peony in Love

A Novel

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Janet Song

Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

"I finally understand what the poets have written. In spring, moved to passion; in autumn only regret."

For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, these lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic opera, a live spectacle few females have ever seen. Like the heroine in the drama, Peony is the cloistered daughter of a wealthy family, trapped like a good-luck cricket in a bamboo-and-lacquer cage. Though raised to be obedient, Peony has dreams of her own.

Peony's mother is against her daughter's attending the production: "Unmarried girls should not be seen in public". But Peony's father assures his wife that proprieties will be maintained, and that the women will watch the opera from behind a screen. Yet through its cracks, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man with hair as black as a cave and is immediately overcome with emotion.

So begins Peony's unforgettable journey of love and destiny, desire and sorrow as Lisa See's haunting novel, based on actual historical events, takes readers back to 17th-century China, after the Manchus seize power and the Ming dynasty is crushed.

Steeped in traditions and ritual, this story brings to life another time and place, and even the intricate realm of the afterworld, with its protocols, pathways, and stages of existence, a vividly imagined place where one's soul is divided into three, ancestors offer guidance, misdeeds are punished, and hungry ghosts wander the earth.

Immersed in the richness and magic of the Chinese vision of the afterlife, transcending even death, Peony in Love explores, beautifully, the many manifestations of love. Ultimately, Lisa See's new novel addresses universal themes: the bonds of friendship, the power of words, and the age-old desire of women to be heard.

©2007 Lisa See (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A complex period tapestry inscribed with the age-old tragedy of love and death.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Electrifying... a fascinating and often surprising story of women helping women, women hurting women and women misunderstanding each other.” (The Miami Herald)

“See mines an intriguing vein of Chinese history... weaving fact and fiction into a dense romantic tapestry of time and place as she meditates on the meaning of love, the necessity of self-expression and the influence of art.” (Los Angeles Times)

Wonderful read

This is a book that will entice and stimulate you. It is one of her best books. Get lost in her wonderful world. You will not regret it. Yeah I am a straight guy, not that that matters .

An amazing accomplishment for Lisa See

I have read/listened to this book at least 4 times over the past few years. (Yes, I'm a re-reader.) There may be a few slow spots to get through (but I don't notice them anymore), but overall I find it wonderfully poetic, well-plotted, and highly informative as to the Chinese culture of the first Manchu era. The description of The Cataclysm is very, very well done, even if it is painful reading/listening.

I use part of this book in the Comparative Religion college course I teach because it really brings to life the complex afterlife beliefs of Chinese tradition -- and students always relax when we read something from a contemporary novel. (A nice change from all those primary texts and creation stories!)

I obtained (via Amazon) the English opera libretto of The Peony Pavilion and have been reading that along with this most recent listen to Peony in Love. Having done this tandem listen / read, I have even more appreciation or, perhaps, awe for See's accomplishment. What she has done is really pretty staggering, using the classic opera as a basis for the novel and having characters in the novel act in parallel to what happens to characters in the opera. The closest other book I can think of that affects me with such awe for sheer literary ability is A.S. Byatt's Possession. Yes, I listen to that every year, too.

When it all comes together

Lisa See is my favorite author and one who I hope transcends time with her invigorating stories and beautiful details. And this book definitely has the numerous developed layers that I enjoy.

Interesting

This book was a very interesting fictional account of the largely unknown Chinese women writers who flourished in the Yang See River Valley in the 17th century. I am a fan of Chinese cultural stories so did enjoy it. The reader is excellent!

Intimate peek into Chinese culture

I had heard that this book was a bit slow and not as good as Lisa See's other writings, so I started reading Peony In Love expecting to be bored for the first half. I was surprised to find out that I loved the book from beginning to end. Peony in Love provides an intimate peek into the lives of Chinese women during the 17th century. This was a time of change for China when women struggled between following tradition and being basically "invisible" and their desire to explore the emotions and thoughts through writing, painting, etc. To follow the main character through life AND death gave me more of an understanding of the Chinese beliefs of the afterlife and why they follow many of the traditions that are still alive today. The love scenes were steamy and I found myself blushing in the cafeteria at work! While I found this book fascinating, I can understand why some may have found it lacking. If you do not like reading about Chinese history or tradition, you may not enjoy Peony Pavillion. See goes into great detail which may be a little tedious for some. Personally, I loved it.

Fascinating!

I loved "Snowflower" and though very different, "Peony" was wonderful on so many levels. The culture, the history, the story itself. I was enchanted and have highly recommended it to my daughters. Janet Song brings incredible magic to the wonderful story. I'm on my way to listen to "Shanghai Girls."

The Lives of Women

Would you listen to Peony in Love again? Why?

This book is a beautiful story of a "lovesick" young women in Japan during the 16th and 17th Century. How women while under much stress from a lifestyle chosen for them they were able to become published poets and writers. I would recommend this book to all teenage girls to inspire them to learn from history and to be thankful for all that life as given them through the strides of the women before them.

This is a very peaceful book filled with hope for a better life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Peony's Grandmother and Mother.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes in the Garden prior to The Peony Pavilion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book caused me to think about my life and the life beyond. The ideas and teachings of the Japanese regarding the life beyond causes one to reflect on how one is living today.

loved it

Lisa See does not disappoint, the history in this novel is rich and transports the reader into the past. Beautifully written.

could be some triggering

The parts about the brutality to the women during the cataclysm is pretty shaking.
If you are setative to this subject avoid this book.
Overall Lisa See wrote another well researched book about Chinese history and tradition.
I liked Snowflower and the Secret Fan better.
Still a great read.

Intriguing and Creative Story!

Would you listen to Peony in Love again? Why?

Yes, I liked the readers voice and felt connected to the story through her words. This often makes me like a book more or less and I think she was a perfect fit for the role!

What did you like best about this story?

I thought it was really creative how she delved into history and created an imaginative story that is based on some events. I enjoyed the research that she did into the time period and found myself researching more about the history.

What does Janet Song bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I felt that she brought the book to life, and really enjoyed listening to her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of the scenery in the gardens and the isolation.