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Snowflower and the Secret Fan
By Lisa See
This is a story of an era in which women’s feet were bound; women were isolated and often abused; girl children were “worthless.” Even for those born to high status or wealth, freedom was unknown and life was hard in many ways.
This intriguing story is narrated by Lily, a widow in her eighties. Lily reflects on her life and her friendship with Snowflower, its ups and downs, their marriages, and larger events that affected their lives.
In 19th century China, women developed a “secret writing” with which they communicated with each other. This is the only known language just for women. They wrote their code in the folds of a fan, which was easy to send back and forth.
In spite of the hardships these women stoically accept, the story has a delicacy like Chinese art. It is memorable read.
The story is carefully researched, and teaches about another time and place. This book will make the women of 21st century America glad to live where and when we do.
Delcie Danroth Light grew up in Mandan. My paternal family is Swedish and
maternal family is English.
Bill and I moved to Devils Lake in 1967. We built our home we still live in
with our own hands and my grandfather's hammer. We raised three children in
that home, plus many dogs and cats. Each summer grandchildren from
California come and stay to enjoy life in the Lake Region. They are proof
of what son Bill said many years ago: "We grew up in the perfect place."
I have a B.S. From NDSU and M.S. From UND. I administered Early childhood
Education at Fort Totten, taught adult education, and most of my career, I
taught literature and composition for 25 years in the Devils Lake Public
School. Education has long been a value in my family. The first teacher
was the Puritan, Reverend John Cotton (1584-1652), who was the Dean of
Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England; the teacher at Winthrop Colony,
Boston; and one of the founders of Harvard. Maybe teaching is genetic?
I love ND, animals, plants, kids, reading, writing, gardening, traveling,
good conversations, witty people, and genealogical research. I don't know
what boredom means.
Louise Oleson is a 1970 graduate of Devils Lake Central High School and 1975 graduate of UND. She is in her third career having started her professional life as a high school English teacher, then a certified campus minister for the Bismarck Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church and now at the Devils Lake Journal. She has been managing editor for the last seven years.
She enjoys reading, camping, acting, singing, watching action and comedic movies and TV shows and animals of all kinds. Her favorite places in the world (to date) are Sullys Hill National Game Preserve and Disneyland.
A true child of the prairies, she normally prefers to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground, but Oleson recently had her first ride in a Blackhawk helicopter as she photographed the devastating flooding that for nearly 20 years has been steadliy consuming the rich farmland and infrastructure of her home. The flight in the helicopter she says is one of the top ten things she's ever done.
Cats Buddy and BOO allow Oleson to live with them as long as she keeps the litter box cleaned out and the food bowl full.
