An art customer had told me of this book and how she and her friend were loving it. I bought it two days later and began a journey that would completely fascinate and almost obliterate the next two weeks, as I had time to read.

Not only is this book a wonderful insight into historic families of rural Chinese in the 19th century,, it is a well rounded and beautifully written story of two best friends (Old Sames) and the un-veiling and winding path, their friendship took them. I cried some during, and also as it ended. This is one of those books, you don't want to end, and the mourning process that comes over you as you realize, it is coming to closure makes you sad as you know you are going to have to adjust now, to your own reality, and you would rather stay in China.

I bought this book for my Old Same and she read it while on a cruise and ran into a man reading it and enjoying it so much, his wife could not wait for him to finish it, so she might start her own journry into this wonderful world, of many tender and exciting moments.

We each now have Lisa See's new novel, Peony In Love, on pre-order with Amazon.com. and due out in July, 2007.

Lisa See's writing style is my favorite of all authors today.

Please do yourself a sweet favor, and go gently into yesterday in an old customed country. What a thrilling education!