LOTUS SHOES: A Novel

Jane Yang
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LOTUS SHOES: A Novel

Jane Yang
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Overall rating: 4.8333335 / 5 from 6 reviews.

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Review topics: ["flowers","book","lives","story","debut","novel"].

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Reviews

Loved it!

"Beautifully written historical fiction set in 1800s China. This story was told from the perspective of two girls—Little Flower and Linjing. Little Flower was sold into slavery as a muizai to Linjing's very wealthy family. There was so much tragedy in this story—all beautifully written. I loved how well the story explored privilege, class struggles, and historical 1800s China. I can't wait for Yang's next book! #IndigoEmployee"

JF00 (5/5)

Perfection in writing.

"Best book I ever read period. A must read for a debut novel I cant wait to see what else she will be writing."

Bestcat1234 (5/5)

Highly Captivating Book

"The Lotus Shoes was one of the best books I have ever read! It had many twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat. It was really hard to put it down. I highly recommend it!"

Char B. (5/5)

Loved it

"Heartbreaking beautiful portrait of how brutal life can be, and how connectons and caring can make All The difference."

Alison (5/5)

An impressive debut!

"This is an impressive debut novel. It is an historical fiction inspired loosely by the author's grandparents stories and is set in China in the late 1800's. A sad and in some ways tragic telling of the restricted lives led by women in that time and place, it is not without hope. I would have given it a full five stars, but the ending felt a tad rushed. In spite of that minor quibble, I really loved the story and will look for more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reading copy. 4. 5/5 stars rounded up."

Mpcacher1 (5/5)

Shockingly insightful debut

"An upstairs downstairs story set in Song China. Little Flower is sold to the wealthy Fong family in desperation as a child. Told by her loving mother that if she is obedient and industrious she will one day make a good match, Little Flower has her goal. With perfect golden lotus bound feet and the gift of embroidery she is the envy of her maiden Linjing. Spoiled and outspoken, Linjing is determined to set her will upon her handmaiden for stealing her mother’s love. Selfish cruelty and misplaced jealously colours her personality as she first forces Little Flower to unbind her feet and then prevents a most advantageous marriage for her own purposes. She cannot seem to see Little Flower as anything beyond a tool and honestly believes her actions are those of good will. While given an interesting POV, she is certainly a villain in this story. Books on slavery are never going to be easy to read and this novel led me down a rabbit hole to investigate golden lillies: what were they, how they came to be, and why did they persist in this culture. The culmination of this research has lead me to understand that: 1) an emperor decided he wanted his consort to dance on bound feet on the mural of a lotus flower, and then everyone (most likely more men) thought this was the ideal standard for femininity. 2) The golden lilly is an ideal 3 inches, which requires the bones to be broken and bound from childhood. 3) the act of creation will ensure a girl is obedient and can undergo cruelty in silence, apparently ever mother-in-law’s dream. 4) bound feet ensure a woman can never run away, yet the women are often the ones to enforce said practice. Sold into bondage or sold into marriage with broken feet, it seems Chinese women of the age had few options, with autonomy a distant dream. While this type of cruelty left me seething, I did find myself fully immersed in this story waiting for Little Flower to find her voice and her vengeance. As the tides of time and fortune change, we discover the depth of understanding it takes to overcome bitterness. As the bond between Linjing and Little Flower evolves, so to do old hurts and a sense of betrayal. As Little Flower’s star rises, Linjing will take desperate actions against her seeing it as her right based on class. I actually couldn’t believe this was a debut. It featured two opposing voices, yet the storyline flowed with ease. I lost track of time as I read, pages flying by as I immersed myself in the lives of these complex characters despite their youthful perspective. It managed to encapsulate misguided kindness and the cruelty of privileged ideology so beautifully as to demonstrate all the layers to humanity based on experience and circumstance. I just found the end a bit too rushed and easily resolved, given all the history in these relationships. While Little Flower proved herself insightful and thoughtful throughout, Linjing’s epiphany and transformation was a little harder to believe. Still it was a satisfying conclusion and a beautiful story. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an early copy of this novel. Book review: 4. 5/5 📖 Read if you like: Memoirs of a Geisha"

Karisbookclub (4/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Jun 23, 2026
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 368
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
  • ISBN: 9781443472449
  • Dimensions: 6.0" W x 0.92" L x 9.0" H

“I love novels that take me away from my everyday life into different cultures, societies and times, and I enjoyed every single page of The Lotus Shoes. It is a wonderful novel, embroidered with colour and skill.” - Elizabeth Chadwick, bestselling author of The King's Jewel

“Jane Yang gives us a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese women in the 19th century, and a sweeping story wrapped around their pain, joy and tenacity. You'll love it!” - Mandy Robotham, USA TODAY bestselling author of The War Pianist

“Stunning, transporting, unforgettable. The Lotus Shoes caught me hook, line and sinker from the first pages and Little Flower is the bravest character I’ve ever read. Jane Yang is going to be a star.” - Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight House

“A fabulous read from the very first page, this is historical fiction at its absolute best. Yang’s carefully crafted characters and intricately woven tale showed me a part of history I knew nothing about, and had me reading until midnight to discover the ending. This is easily one of the best books I've read in years, and the story of Linjing and Little Flower will stay with me for a long time to come. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, then you will love The Lotus Shoes. ” - Soraya M. Lane, internationally bestselling author of The Italian Daughter and The Secret Midwife

“Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time.” - Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Lotus Shoes is a powerful story, beautifully told. Little Flower and Linjing’s story is complex, brutal, tragic, and heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting and satisfying. I feel I have learned a great deal about a place and period I knew very little about. Jane Yang is an exciting new talent and I can’t wait to read more from her.”  - Santa Montefiore, bestselling author of The Secret of the Irish Castle

"Yang debuts with a fascinating portrayal of ambition and cruelty in 19th-century China…expert plotting and nuanced historical details result in an exceptional story that enchants from the first page to the last." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Yang paints lush landscapes in this coming-of-age tale about sisterhood, love, and status. A stunning debut for historical-fiction fans who appreciate complicated female leads."


- Booklist

“‘In some ways this story is about the plight of women in nineteenth century China but, more importantly, it's about their spirit – their courage to stand up for themselves and for one another in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them. Jane Yang is a hugely talented writer whose elegant prose, eye for historical detail and storytelling prowess fully immerse the reader in her exceptional novel.” - Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Alex St. Pierre

“I devoured this stunning debut! Yang's fascinating glimpse into 1800s China, the power plays between multiple wives in a wealthy household, the fixation on prized golden lotuses, and the heroine’s exquisite embroidery “painting” held me spellbound. I can’t wait to recommend this novel to everyone I know!” - Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

“Captivating and exquisitely rendered.... With deep research and elegant story-telling, The Lotus Shoes offers a fascinating look at the traditions of foot-binding, muizai, filial piety, and polygamy....For me, the centrepiece of the novel was the emotionally rich relationship between Linjing and Little Flower as it evolves over a lifetime and through multiple turns of fortune. I was invested in their story from the first page until the very last words. I so enjoyed this beautiful book! Many congratulations to Jane Yang on her impressive and engaging debut!” - Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring

“I very much enjoyed The Lotus Shoes, an enthralling tale of a bygone era." - Judy Nunn, bestselling author of Khaki Town

“The Lotus Shoes is a remarkable, transportive debut novel. Jane Yang has created multi-dimensional, rich characters in Little Flower and Linjing, young women who must make morally fraught choices in a world that gives them little option. A story about the sacrifices mothers must make and the persistence of their daughters despite overwhelming odds, The Lotus Shoes will sweep you up in a tangle of emotion."  - E.M. Tran, author of Daughters of the New Year

"Gripping from the very first page until the very last, The Lotus Shoes is a spellbinding, educational and heartbreaking tale of survival and courage. More than a book, this novel is an act of liberation and empowerment for women everywhere."  - Nguy?n Phan Qu? Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child

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