Peony in Love: A Novel

Though the premise of this novel is interesting--the ghost of a Chinese girl is telling the story--it is incredibly ridiculous. She chooses to starve herself to death rather than marry the man of her parents' choice, though ironically (and predictably) he is her true love. Snore...The rest--her interaction with his second and third wives is somewhat interesting and keeps the novel going, but really, once you're dead...who cares?

Peony In Love

This book purports to be an historical novel of China, during or just after the Ming Dynasty (if memory serves me), and may be based on true events of those Chinese women of several hundred years ago.

The book was a bit pretentious, repetitive and at times was so predictable, I really wanted to toss the book out the window as a failed experiment. And there were other times where the novel captured the arrogant men and the subservient women, which women practiced foot-binding, that the author gave in such excruciating detail, that it left nothing to the imagination.

Peony was proud of her bound feet and not to concerned about a few broken bone shards sticking out. She filed them down nicely! Ouch!

The book centers around a Chinese opera called Peony's Pavilion. And our young narrator is also called Peony. And her grandmother is called Peony. The repetition was maddening.

But not only in name but in deed!

Peony is pampered and is allowed to read the love story as depicted in the opera Peony's Pavilion. The character in the tale dies of a broken heart ("love-sick maids") by starving herself to death. The character then haunts her lover and he eventually works it out somehow to bring her back to life.

Peony also knows that men are only allowed to see this opera. The opera can go on for a day or so it is so long. And any women that are allowed to see it, must do so behind a screen so that the men don't see them. Peony wanders and runs into a guy that she immediately falls for.

At the time, her father has arranged a marriage with some man.

[Spoiler: It is so obvious that this man is the same guy that she has been engaged to be married to, it's laughable. So predictable. End Spoiler].

Well, Peony starves herself to death and then haunts her lover, just like in the opera. And, when her lover marries another, Peony's control over this girl is such that this girl (Ze) starts starving to death herself!

Peony is a reclusive, selfish teenage girl, who has made up her mind as to what life is all about and is not about to let others continue to live out their own with her intervention. She wants to be remembered and immortalized, yet has a lot to learn, both in life and in death.

Lisa See writes well regarding Chinese mythology and writes as if these spirits and charms and wards actually work, and show Peony's interaction with hungry ghosts and depraved spirits. I found these caricatures somewhat interesting.

But, not enough to save this sinking ship.

Before you judge the ancient Chinese "tradition" of foot-binding too harshly (and I think it was harsh and horrible, but I digress) I wonder how future generations will look at our present time USA actions of tattooing, piercings and breast augmentation for that elusive socially acceptable "beauty" attainment. Food for thought.

Recommended from a historical perspective as to what Chinese women had to live and strive for when they were looked upon at a level not much above cattle and bags of rice.

Beautiful love story. A classic chinese tragedy. This novel, more than a love story, is almost a thiller, just because you are alwasys chasing the next chapter. Lisa See masters the ability to mix historic backgrounds with fiction. This is a keeper I want to read again.

Peony in Love take us once again to ancient China, with all of its strict codes for conduct. Peony is a very different character from Snow Flower, but they share the same rebellious streak. If you haven't read Lisa Sees autobiograpy - On Golden Mountain, that would be the book I would recommend after reading Peony in Love.

After writing one of my favorite heart-felt books, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lisa See wrote a slow silly fantasy that was very difficult to relate to and care about. The author was writing a non-fiction piece for a magazine and decided exploit readers by using her research and trying to make a novel out of it. I'll think twice about reading See's next book.

This was a beautifully written story about China, women and an Opera called Peony in love. Based on some factual events, Lisa See creates a love story, a historical novel and a ghost story all in one.

This was a very easy relaxing and informative book to read. I felt as though I was going back in time - learning the culture and traditions. I enjoyed every minute and sometimes had a very hard time putting the book down. I felt as though I just finished a Japanese history course.

Another engrossing read! If you can suspend your belief in reality for a bit, enter the world of Peony. I liked this story because part of it paralleled my own life somewhat. Lisa See always writes about everyman - I mean - everywoman!

ENJOYED THE BOOK VERY MUCH. NEVER READ A STORY OF A PERSON THAT PASSED
AWAY. VERY INTERESTING DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM AMERICAN CHINESE....
BROUGHT OUT HISTORY OF OLD CHINA....CUSTOMS, ETC. THIS IS THE SECOND
BOOK BY LISA SEE...THAT I PURCHASED....ENJOY BOTH BOOKS VERY MUCH.

I loved Snowflower and the Secret Fan so couldn't wait to read this book. What I found was a ridiculous mishmash of ghosts, the afterlife, superstition and illogic. Peony and Ren fall madly and eternally in love after spending minutes together over three nights. We are treated to tales of superstition and rigid Chinese customs that seem to lack any humanity or basic kindness most of the time. In places the machinations of these ghosts become laughable. I was relieved to finish.

Peony in Love: A NovelI was disappointed in Peony in Love after having read Snowflower and the Secret Fan by the same author. Peony in love is too far out and unrealistic for my reading. Peony spent 2/3 of the book dead, talking about what went on with her after death in the afterlife and that is not my cup of tea.

This historical fictional story takes in 17th century China, during the Ming Dynasty. This is a story based upon an opera entitled "The Peony Pavilion", which was published in 1598 about lovesick young maidens and the history of the three wives commentary. Although during this period of time women in society were for the most part living in the shadows, a few lucky women broke through these barriers and became writers or artists and were accepted. The theme throughout this book is "women need to be heard". Unfortunately for the main character in this story, Peony, this was not the case.

The story begins with a Peony, a 15 year old young woman living a very sheltered and pampered existence in the wealthy Chen Family Villa. She is thrilled by the prospect of the theatrical performance of "The Peony Pavilion" being held in her home even though as an unmarried woman she will need to sit behind a screen so that she is not seen by any men. During the performance, she catches a glimpse of Ren, who is a young handsome man that instantly catches her imagination. As she takes a walk in the garden, they meet simply by chance and they find they have much in common. Peony instantly falls in love with Ren despite the problem that she has an arranged marriage in her future. Unfortunately, she does not know that Ren is her chosen mate, and as many young girls, she starves herself to death from lovesickness. Hence this sets up the plot for the story.

After Peony dies, Lisa See tries to write in detail about the belief system of Chinese afterlife. Alters are set up in homes to honor the dead, and rituals are held with portraits, candles, and offerings to the dead to use in the afterlife. Apparently the soul is supposed to divide into three parts, each going to a different place in order for it to rest. With the mourning and suffering of her family, certain customs were not followed carefully, and Peony finds herself wandering as a "hungry ghost" without rest and bewildered by what to do. Eventually, family members who have passed on give her vague assistance and share secrets. Peony seems to wander by trial and error through phases of hurting and then helping Ren's next two wives and showing personal growth even as a ghost.

The reason I gave this book only one star was simple. This story was extremely tedious to read and at points confusing. The accounts of the Chinese afterlife seemed to be like pulling teeth, and at time extremely frustrating to follow. This could have been an extremely interesting part of the book, however, it seems as though this was a first draft written by Ms. See without any editing. It was a pity. Other parts of the book were graphic but interesting, for example the account of how a young girl goes through the process of footbinding.

All in all, I was a huge fan of Lisa See's other novel, Snowflower and the Secret Fan. It was very interesting, well written, and full of vivid detail. I can't help comparing this book to Jephte's Daughter by Naomi Ragen. In that novel, a very similar theme runs through it, but with the story of a secretive jewish hasidic sect. In that book, a shelter and pampered daughter also has an arranged marriage, however the main character handles herself quite differently than Peony, and with a much more satisfactory conclusion.

I love the authenticity of Lisa See's writing but in this instance it seems a bit over-baked in terms of detail. I kept thinking, get to the point.

The entire book revolves around an opera entitled "The Peony Pavillion" which is a story of unrequited love. In this case, it appears that life reflects opera. Peony is a young woman when this book begins and in the tradition of upper-class China, she is not permitted to leave her household or to see any men other than her own relatives until she marries. Her father is a prestigious person in the community and decides to direct/present the opera - The Peony Pavillion - which women are not allowed to see as it contains "clouds and rain"; the sexual interests of the couple in the opera.

Peony and her siblings are allowed to hear the opera from behind the screen even though they cannot see the opera. On the other side of the screen are the men her father wishes to entertain and impress. Peony discovers a crack in the screen and that is when the story really begins. She sees the love of her life. From this moment on she is consumed by thoughs of this handsome man. She compares her love to that of the woman in the opera and is a mirror of the libreto.

The book follows the life of Peony and her family examining marriage rituals, death rituals, the belief system that orders the lives of the living and the dead. It is all very interesting although, it could have been written in a tighter fashion.

Peony, the protagonist in Peony in Love is sequestered in the Chen household with female family members and knows nothing of men beyond her relationship with her father. She is betrothed to a man she has never met and during a performance put on by a troupe her father hires, she catches sight of a handsome man with whom she falls in love. She becomes love sick and her family does not realize what is happening until things turn tragic.

Peony is a pampered sixteen year old when the reader meets her. Though Peony is spoiled, I could not help but be taken with her as she is curious about learning and stretches her mind beyond the usual things girls are expected to learn.

I liked the fact that the book is a first for me. Lisa See takes the writer beyond the realm of the living into the world of the supernatural. I understand the concept of praying to ancestors for favours, this being part of African culture. However, this book goes much further, in that it explores the things that happen to those who die, and the various stages they go through before they find their final resting place. To date, I have not read any other novel set in China that explores the afterlife in such detail, which is part of what made Peony in Love a fascinating read.

I could have lived without some of scary bits. See does very well at wrapping the reader in Peony's ghostly world and the sometimes creepy atmosphere.

One of the major differences between See's novel and other Chinese fiction is the fact that the characters she writes about are taken from history. This is also the first novel I've read which detailed the lives of women who actually existed and were artists - poets, writers and painters. It was new knowledge, but not a surprize that during times of social upheaval, such as the Manchu invasion of Yangzhou, women were expected to sacrifice themselves to save the men in their families.

See brings the reality of life in seventeenth century China into sharp focus through customs, such as ghost marriages. One other practice I've read about in several novels is foot-binding; however, See does an excellent job of putting the reader in-scene with the characters. As with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I cringed and cried along with the little girls as they go through the harrowing process, which in rare cases, can end in death.

The practice of ancestral worship was explained in detail and I've gained more insight into Chinese culture. The research that went into Peony in Love is apparent, but seamless. See has taken historical characters and situations and combined them in a novel that is intriguing, rich in detail and will hold strong appeal for fans of Chinese fiction

As one reviewer said, this is not a traditional story told in the common-used Western world approach. This is a detailed, gritty and beautiful look into the life of a young girl so taken with the power of her first and only love that she dies from it.

Peony starts out as spoiled but she grows into a thought-provoking character after her chance meeting with Ren, the man who would have been her husband. After she dies from "lovesickness", she spends her time looking in on this man and her family from the spirit plane as a doomed hungry ghost, scavenging for food when the time comes and living in fear of being forgotten by those she loves. She must also deal with the cold hard truth of Ren finding happiness with other women, including an old enemy, Tan Ze.

Some might say her actions as a ghost with Ze are unsavory and make Peony into a villainess, and I will admit some of the things she does were questionable (such as having her stay up all night to have her write about "The Peony Pavillion," Peony's favorite play), but what you get is a girl filled with passion and her desire to be remembered. She tries to make up her actions when Ren's third wife, Yi, almost dies during childbirth and Peony saves both her and the child.

See's voice may start off slow and repetetive and some of her decriptions are purple prose (Peony talks about pearls filling her heart when she's happy), but her story picks up tremendously. She explores the surroundings of the people who populate the novel like a painter, with fine brushstrokes you wouldn't notice but definitely appreciate. She makes the Chinese afterlife into a real place, with all its levels and grim or happy fates. Lastly, she gives the reader a view of an unlikely love, of mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, and husbands and wives. It may not be "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," but it's a good story for the heartstrings.

I am writing my thoughts about the book that left a great impression on me and I know my words will be read by others. I owe the freedom to do so to my sisters from the 17th Century China, and especially to the three wives of a poet, to the three courageous souls who wrote and published the first ever book by women.

"Peony in Love" is a story of WOMEN as they were before feminism stepped in. They were wives and mothers and lovers and poets; devoted to their husbands and called to serve them above all; educated for the sake of holding an intelligent conversation and being "mates" to their men and mothers in law. It is a story of a young girl's quest for love and freedom of sharing her word with others. Young Peony dies when waiting for an arranged marriage, writing down the commentary of her beloved book, "The Peony Pavilion". Upon death, she becomes a "hungry ghost" tortured with love, unable to proceed to the after-world due to the un-dotted tablet, eager to make her poet Wu Ren happy and fulfilled with the best wife that she tries and succeeds, after all, to "create" and guide for him. And Peony is also so eager to finish her work, her commentary, in hopes that Wu Ren hears her through the words, written by her at the age of 16, and later finished by his two other wives.

To not retell the story, masterfully woven by Lisa See in delicate word-brushes of pink and purple and yellow words, just like the most delicate Chinese silk and other books by this outstanding writer, I can say that this book is much more than a tale of love. It is a story of growing as a woman and growing as a generation of women; a story of devotion to your man and a story about the importance of all types of love: romantic, sexual, soul to soul connection, mother love, daughter love; the story of strong women who seem to be so fragile and peony-like, swaying on their lily-feet. The story that one does need all bravery to do what her heart tells her do, and the story of a brave and pure heart being rewarded: sometimes at the very end of life and sometimes, even after years in the afterlife, but rewarded nonetheless.

The book is based on the account of Tang Xianzu's late-16th-century Chinese opera "The Peony Pavilion" and the writing and publication in 1694 of what is known as "The Three Wives' Collaborative Commentary" which became the FIRST BOOK BY WOMEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. It is mind-blowing to think that the Commentary might, indeed, came to life just like Lisa See describes in the novel, given the Chinese metaphysics and afterlife scenery exists; and how can we deny for sure before we learn it for ourselves, when we die?

"The Peony Pavilion" was later prohibited: many girls thought that starving themselves to death was the only way to become masters of their fate and rejoin the men they chose for themselves in the ghostly realm.

My many grateful compliments to Janet Song who narrated the Audible edition. It could not have been more perfect and engaging. Now I will never look at Hangzhou, where I am quite often when visiting China, with the same eyes; I will feel Peony and the power of ancient Chinese women: thinking, feeling, writing, loving, caring and respectful to Love and Life here and hereafter.

Victoria Evangelina Belyavskaya

This book is a blend of historical perspective combined with the spiritual life of 17th century China. A 9 hours long opera 'The Peony Pavilion' written by Tan Xianzu in 1598 provides the framework. The opera tells a tale of lovesick young women who fall in love go on a hunger strike and gradually waist away only to be reborn after their death as ghosts.

The author's tale is a mix of spirituality, cultural details, tradition, superstitions and everyday life experiences. The story opens with 16 year old Peony and other young women watching through a slit in the viewing screen the opening performance of 'The Peony Pavilion', custom does not allow them to mix with the male audience. During a poignant moment in the performance Peony catches a glimpse of Wu Ren, a handsome young man in the audience. Overcome by emotion she leaves the room and as destiny would have it, she eventually encounters him in a courtyard near the lakeside pavilion'..it is an encounter that launches a love story with all the atmosphere of the period'..

This tragic love story takes us through a mystical journey to hell, with demons, ghosts and sword fighting. The main character Peony narrates her life in a rather lackluster manner and appears a little naïve when devastated by cruel twists of fate. When she reappears as a ghost the story become monotonous, a constant tale of stalking and obsessiveness and the slow pacing became overwhelming and I found myself quickly losing interest and eventually wondered how I made it to the last page.

In all fairness, there are interesting parts that add a tad of substance to the tale, I found the background information about the Cataclysm, the Manchu overthrow of the Ming regime and the beliefs and ritual of the people to be interesting.

I may not have appreciated this novel to its fullest but others have and others will.

Audio book narrated by Janet Song

This is a very Chinese story. Steeped in the long-held traditions of ancestor worship, belief in spirits and strict societal roles, See manages to present a story that celebrates feminism and the women writers who are all but forgotten today. I found it difficult to engage in the novel because of this deep tradition; it was, simply put, too foreign to me. I kept judging Peony and the other characters by MY present-day standards. I was irritated by the restrictions she and other women so easily accepted. I caught on to several plot twists long before Peony realized them. I just had to keep reminding myself of her sheltered upbringing, her youth and inexperience.

Song's narration didn't help this. She has a slow, almost ponderous delivery, which just did not breathe any life into the work.

What I found most interesting was the author note at the very end of the book. See's assignment to do a magazine piece about Lincoln Center's full-length production of "The Peony Pavilion" led her to information about the lovesick maidens. Intrigued, she did further research and found a wealth of information about the accomplished women writers in China. I appreciate that she tried to pay homage to them in this work, but I think the story got away from her.

After reading Lisa See's novel "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" I had high hopes for this novel. I really wanted to love it. Love the characters. Love the environment it took place in. I was very disappointed.

This book felt more like an exercise, using a fictional approach, in explaining ancient Chinese superstitions, rituals and beliefs surrounding marriage, death and the afterworld.

See tries to make us feel the love between the two main characters. She also tries to make us feel for the women who live their lives on grand compounds but never leave, are never taken seriously. Their words, particularly in written form, are ignored. See never brings the emotional connection with the characters to make the reader care about the lives of these women. There are fleeting moments when my heart felt how they were sometimes treated as nothing and the physical monstrous rituals they put themselves through for men (foot binding) but again, those moments are fleeting.

What starts as a promising beginning falls into a jumbled mess. Skip this one.

"Peony In Love" is a historical fiction and ghost story that is based on Tang Xianzu's opera "The Peony Pavilion" (1598) and its "Three Wives Commentary" (1694). Chen Tong (one of the Three Wives) is a real person, but her life (and afterlife) was fictionalized for the book. You don't have to know the opera to understand Lisa See's novel, since she explains things as you go. However, if you can follow along with the original, ideally in Cyril Birch's 1980 English translation, it will increase your enjoyment of the novel.

Some things I liked about "Peony In Love:" first of all, it's a good story. Even if you know the opera, it's likely that you will not be able to predict how the plot turns. Second, for students of China, it gives some real insight about upper-class life, customs, and beliefs. More than that, it lets you know how people thought and felt about the lives they were living at that time.

I also liked the author's thoughtful approach to some very contentious issues. For example, with the horrible custom of footbinding, Lisa See helps us to know both how awful it really was (worse than you think), and why people went along with it anyway (a thumb in the eye of the big-footed Manchus). Her insights into the Ming/Qing political transition, and the lives of elite women in the China of that time, are also well worth having.

The only critical comment I have about the book is relatively minor. I've visited the incredibly romantic scenery around Hangzhou's West Lake where part of the story takes place, and don't think that See's description does it justice. It was, by all accounts, even more beautiful back then than it is now. If you ever get the chance to go there, though, you will enjoy it all the more if you have read the book!