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)

Stick with it

I almost didn't continue with this book, because it starts so slow and predictable. But it's well worth sticking it out. The story picks up pace, leads you on an unexpected and exciting journey, and I wished it had gone on for many more chapters. Learning about the culture was also amazing. Topics usually never discussed about China. Fabulous read!

Beautiful work

I love Lisa Lee’s working every story is so heartfelt. Thank you so much for this beautiful story and the work that went into putting it together ❤️

Eloquently written and read

Eloquently written and read I couldn't put this book down. Publishers Weekly sums the book up wonderfully: "Set in 17th-century China, See's fifth novel is a coming-of-age story, a ghost story, a family saga and a work of musical and social history."

It is rich in history, tradition and superstition. A friend of mine went home to China for a funeral several years back and I didn't fully understand (until now) all the things Chinese tradition believes you must to do to ensure your loved ones a safe and peaceful passage in death. A very interesting listen! As impacting, eye opening and enjoyable as Memoirs of a Geisha.

Worth Sticking It Out

After reading two of See's other novels, I found this one difficult to listen to in the beginning. But stick with it -- it's heartbreakingly beautiful. Lisa See and Janet Song are a match made in heaven. The narration, as always, brings the characters to life.

Asphyxiating

Listening to this I felt trapped. I'm a fan of historical fiction so I'm used to reading (or listening) about foot binding and the life of women in the inner chambers.

Here however there is too much focus on the ugliness and the author attempts to frame it as a good thing. It doesn't help that the MC is unlikable and really, really, REALLY stupid!

In the second part of the story she lives her favorite opera and the book kept making promises to go in that direction but in the end it never did, It just rambled about this or that. All the while framing the MC's actions as correct and anyone that opposes her as vile and wicked.

The fact that it's ALWAYS the MC's fault is glossed over. The fact that she harmed others intentionally is totally fine, because she's the MC.

This is the one book from this author I didn't like. It tries so hard to be existential but ends up as rambly and full of ugliness.

Dragged a little, but got better

I didn't like this one as much as others by the author. I stopped listening for a bit, but more because of the story itself than the writing. When I got back into it, I was captivated as the story went on. It really is an amazing story and the development of the main character masterful. Understanding from the author at the end the basis for the story really made it a worthy listen.

Wonderful

I love this book. I've listened too it many times and I am well entertained each time.

Few Surprises

I wanted to love this book. I'm a fan of Lisa See, and had high expectations for "Peony." I don't know if it was the mildly over-dramatic performance or the predictability of the plot, but I felt the book fell short of what I'd expect in a See novel. Without spoiling the plot for those who plan to read the book, I will say that there are some large plot "twists" that came as no surprise to me. The foreshadowing left little suspense, and the constant explanations interrupted the flow of the plot.
The narrator did an excellent job portraying the different characters - her change of tone and accent served to differentiate between characters and made the conversion believable. The story was interesting and the history well- researched and expertly woven into the storyline. See's descriptions of the countryside, the culture, and the political environment positively impact the reader's experience. While there are the aforementioned issues with plot predictability and perhaps a little too much drama in the reading, overall, the book was intriguing.

Fantastic!

Lisa See is an outstanding author and Janet Song portrays the story with such emotion and realism. It puts you right there as part of the scene.

Deeper understanding

At first I almost stopped reading since it was so different from Lisa See’s other books but I grew in understanding of cultural history and found it wonderful.