Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Its been a long break, but I assure you I have been reading! Initially it was mostly academic (doing my thesis) and then branching out of my comfort zone into non-thrillers by Aussie and Kiwi writers courtesy my Kiwi cousin who has shipped half a dozen books to me!
Between my last post and now much has shifted. I moved out of my job as Head of Department and I broke up with the author of the last book I’ve reviewed here. Both tough decisions, the first more difficult than the second. Then I turned inward. This journey inward is still very much ongoing. I attached alot of my identity to my career, which I was extremely good at. I rose to a position that is reserved for lawyers without being a lawyer while signing the biggest contracts for the firm. I worked hard for three and half years doing more than 12 hours of work a day. So letting go of this was not easy. But I had to cut off from it all. No contact with my colleagues either. There was so much pain and so much unbecoming. But then December 2023 something clicked, and it felt like I could not only go through the day unscathed but also have moments to thrive.
Letting go of my relationship was not very difficult. I hardly relied on it for strength or satisfaction so that came to me easier.
Why I wanted to review this book in particular, when I’ve read two non-academic beautiful ones before this, is because I want to talk about my circle of women through this review.
In this book Lisa See takes us through the life of Lady Yunxian Tan, one of the earliest female doctors recorded in history. She uses the facts of Lady Tan’s life to imagine her story. The book is a wonderful insight into Chinese history and culture specifically the lives of women in the 1400’s. The book is divided into the four phases of a woman’s life from the time of her birth until death along with the responsibilities of each phase namely, milk days, hair-pinning days, rice and salt days and sitting quietly days.
As a feminist it was slightly triggering to read the position of women as the properties of men, their only role being to secure the lineage through a son and what happens if the wife or concubine(s) fail to do so. But as triggered as I was, I kept with it, taking it with grace and being grateful the position of women now has shifted massively through the years.
Being a lady doctor was unimaginable and even more so for a woman from an elite family. Lady Tan’s journey, her intelligence and tact in practicing medicine against odds is not just inspiring but small wins you could definitely use if you are a feminist as well.
I learnt about the female body through the writers thorough descriptions of the patients and their diagnosis given by Lady Tan. A reminder that I do need to know more about my body given that women rarely know enough about their body especially our genitalia.
The book is titled Lady Tans Circle of Woman because it records the women that held the space for Lady Tan to become all that she became as a wife, mother, doctor and most importantly, woman.
This made me reflect on the women in my
life who hold space for me too. My mother, in her wisdom and profound faith in the goodness of the universe, my older sister who through her own trials can still lend a ear. My aunts and cousins who carry me through family celebrations. My friends, my two closest ones, and my friends made from my dance community who are some of my biggest cheerleaders, my direct messages and comments on Instagram are proof. My dance teachers, current and past who have been patient and allowed me to peel back layers of doubt. The women who work in my home, their constant care. And to my grandmothers who have passed on, who have taught me strength.
I really recommend this book, especially if you are on an inward journey. Make a list of your circle of women too, I promise its alot bigger than you can imagine. Women CAN hold women up and we must hold each other close and up.