Gracie Stockdale-Wild Swans

This is such a compelling novel. Although it starts off rather slow, it really picks up and starts to get really interesting. OK some major topics that must be discussed: footbinding? AHHH, that sounds so horrible. At one point in the book it said she could barely walk much less stand up without severe pain. Especially the way they do it, by breaking their feet with a large stone etc. How tragic it is that women are still treated like livestock in this book. The concubines are sex slaves for their husbands and are simple there for them when ever they need a women. That treatment in itself is horrible. The life the author's Grandmother lived was not a pleasant one. When Xiu's son killed himself because he didn't want him to marry her, that was so ridiculous. How could it be so miserable to see someone else taken care of. Xiu is a nice enough man, being a doctor and finally leaving his disapproving family. He must really care about the grandmother (his wife, not concubine) enough to move away with her. I just feel so horrible for all the women of china, they go through so much just to be ridiculed for their happiness. This book is great so far.