New OR book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I chose Snow Flower and the Secret Fan partially because it was recommended by mom but also since we are learning about Chinese culture in AP World as well. I have already started to make connections between the book and new gained knowledge. Themes are already emerging in this compelling novel. Love (or lack of), loyalty, and sacrifice are all prevelant themes that all shown through the main character Lily. At the mere age of seven, she goes through the extremely painful process of foot binding. Bone gets broken, blood is shed all in the name of beauty. Beauty is pain. She is not alone however in this process, she is joined by her sisters Beautiful Moon and Third Sister. The matchmaker comes to their house and to their surprise says that Lily is a speical case, one of which beauty is radiant, feet the shape for perfection, and a promise of a glorious future including a wealthy husband and money. This is when her mother finally comes to notice her and love her. She is an obedient child, one who just wants to be noticed and have a purpose in life, and she will do anything to achieve this. When her Third Sister dies from the footbinding gone wrong, it teaches her a valuable life lesson on life and death and how beauty has its prices...