This book was beautiful. I loved reading the story of Lily's life from the time she was very small to the time she's an old woman. There were times that were heartbreaking and times that were joyous. I could feel the emotions pouring off the pages of this book. It really spoke to how women were treated in China during that time in history. I learned many things about Chinese culture and traditions that I never knew before and I couldn't help but take the time out to research and learn more about these things as I read along. The act of binding little girl's feet was something I never knew about, and the pain that went along with this tradition makes me cringe just from thinking about it. Women truly were thought of as nothing more than temporary guests in the homes they were born into, for it was assumed that at some point they would go off to their husband's and in-law's house to live permanently once they married, only to return for festivals several times a year. Despite being treated as if they were of low importance from birth, these women still had an extreme strength of spirit and pride that really impressed me. They seemed to have a bottomless well of courage and hope in what at times seemed to be hopeless situations. I haven't really ever read a book quite like this one, and I'm really glad I took the time out to read it...it truly was a fantastic read.