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Footbinding
3 Reviews
(3)
YA
In this Cinderella story set in ancient China, Xing-Xing, called "Lazy One," is treated as a servant and fall guy for her stepmother's sins. Her half-sister's suffering from bound, rotting feet leads to Xing-Xing's personal liberation and a discovery that enables her to find happiness. Using vivid, sensual imagery, Napoli artfully evokes emotional investment in her protagonist's plight.
Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen
(3)
YA
His family wiped out by a marauding dragon, cowardly Jude of Doran teams with Jing-wei, a Chinese girl being shown in a circus because of her bound feet, to slay the dragon using Jing-wei's knowledge of Chinese technology. The framing story in which Jude tells his tale to a recording monk is amusing, the diction has an old feel without being stilted, and the action is thrilling and non-stop.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(4)
YA
In early twentieth-century China, Ailin's liberal father allows her to avoid the tradition of foot-binding, but a broken engagement makes her family fear for her future. Ailin's intelligence and hard work--and a lot of luck--lead her to a new life in America. The novel contains fascinating if intrusive historical detail, but the flat prose keeps Ailin at a distance from the reader.
Reviewer: Alvina Ling
3 reviews
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